ZURICH, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMIwas seen opening 0.2 percent higher at 10,036 points onThursday, according to premarket indications from bank JuliusBaer.
Here are some of the main factors that may affect Swissstocks :
CLARIANT
The Swiss speciality chemicals maker must pay a 750,000Swiss franc ($752,861) penalty for breaking publication rules inrelation to its failed merger with U.S.-based Huntsman Corp., the SIX Swiss Exchange said on Thursday.
NOVARTIS
Sandoz said on Wednesday it was halting distribution of itsversions of the drug commonly known as Zantac in all itsmarkets, after contaminants were found in the heartburn drug.
PHARMA SUPPLIERS
Switzerland's COMCO competition watchdog on Thursdayconducted dawn raids of several makers and distributors of adrug ingredient for medicines against stomach pain, citingsuspicions of unlawful price and market sharing ingredients.
For more, click on
COMPANY STATEMENTS
* Orascom Development Holding said it successfullyplaced a 100 million Swiss franc bond.
* Roche said it renewed support of the Phelophepaprimary healthcare trains in South Africa as the main externalsponsor to mark their 25th anniversary.
* SHL Telemedicine said net income in the firsthalf-year came in at $4 million.
ECONOMY
* Switzerland ran a merchandise trade surplus of 1.59billion Swiss francs ($1.60 billion) in August, the FederalCustoms Office said on Thursday.
* Swiss National Bank monetary policy assessment due at 0730GMT. The Swiss National Bank is expected to shrug off theEuropean Central Bank's latest interest rate cut and not trimits own negative rate, according to analysts polled by Reuters.($1 = 0.9962 Swiss francs)(Reporting by Zurich newsroom and Berlin Speed Desk)