Swiss Stocks Underperform European Markets

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks wobbled on Wednesday, failing to join other European markets in positive territory for the session.

The Swiss Market Index slipped 0.14 percent to 8,411.43, edging lower in the final half of the day.

The SMI is down slightly for the month of April after ending March on a high note.

Chemicals company Clariant and U.S. chemical manufacturer Ashland Inc said they had agreed to sell their joint venture ASK Chemicals. Clariant was up 0.1 percent.

Novartis said it had appointed Jeff George as Alcon division head as Kevin Buehler retires, and named Richard Francis as Sandoz division head. Shares slipped 0.27 percent.

Sulzer said it appointed Thomas Dittrich as new Chief Financial Officer. Shares fell 0.67 percent.