The Swiss stock exchange in Zurich finished the session with gains after successfully erasing initial losses. The Swiss Market Index advanced 0.76 percent to reach 14,478.37 points, while the Swiss Performance Index closed up 0.60 percent at 20,393.48 points. Trading activity unfolded against the backdrop of elevated energy costs and continuing increases in bond yields, which exerted downward pressure on cyclical equities while driving demand toward defensive categories.
Insurance providers experienced strong interest, with Zurich Insurance rising 1.0 percent and Swiss Re climbing 1.1 percent. Healthcare issues also found favor among investors, as Galderma gained 0.8 percent and Sandoz moved up 0.7 percent. Conversely, industrial technology group ABB suffered the steepest losses among SMI constituents, tumbling 5.0 percent after its third-quarter financial figures failed to fully satisfy market participants alongside broader headwinds affecting the technology sector.
Within the broader Swiss market, Kuros shares jumped 11.2 percent following their inclusion on a favored list compiled by Bank Berenberg. Newron advanced 6.7 percent, Tecan added 3.7 percent, and Huber+Suhner moved up 4.1 percent. On the losing side, Feintool dropped 6.4 percent, Also fell 5.8 percent, Inficon declined 3.8 percent, VAT lost 3.1 percent, and Accelleron gave up 2.6 percent to reach a seven-month low.
International markets experienced varied momentum, influenced by rising crude oil prices and ongoing retreats across technology shares ahead of upcoming quarterly reports from major sector leaders. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.78 percent to 52,373 points, whereas the technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.21 percent to 29,466 points and the S&P 500 added 0.21 percent to 7,707 points. Artificial intelligence and technology infrastructure firm Elice recorded a historically weak market debut in Seoul, with its heavily oversubscribed shares closing nearly one-third below their initial public offering price.
Corporate earnings reports prompted notable individual share movements. Industrial conglomerate 3M gained 5.3 percent after beating profit forecasts and raising its annual guidance for adjusted earnings per share for the second consecutive quarter. General Motors shares fell 5.4 percent due to more cautious annual expectations, overshadowing its quarterly report and a planned 20 billion US dollar share buyback program. Aerospace and defense contractor RTX advanced 2.1 percent after lifting its 2026 targets on the back of strong business performance, while engine manufacturer GE Aerospace dropped 4.5 percent despite raising its full-year goals amid robust demand. Cloud computing provider CoreWeave fell 3.5 percent amid ongoing scrutiny regarding its potential capital requirements.
