ABB, Actelion, Bucher, Lindt, Roche, UBS: Swiss Equity Preview

By Jakob Lindstroem

Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies may have unusual price changes in Swiss trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are from the previous close.

The Swiss Market Index of the largest and most actively traded companies fell 0.6 percent to 5,515.05. The Swiss Performance Index dropped 0.5 percent to 4,547.46.

ABB Ltd. (ABBN VX): The world’s biggest builder of electricity networks said it will book pretax provisions of $850 million for potential costs related to investigations into alleged anti-competitive practices in the U.S. and Europe. ABB lost 19 centimes, or 1.2 percent, to 16.01 Swiss francs.

Actelion Ltd. (ATLN VX): Switzerland’s biggest biotechnology company won the backing of European regulators to widen the use of the Zavesca treatment to include patients suffering from a rare degenerative disease known as Niemann-Pick type C. The shares decreased 2.8 francs, or 4.7 percent, to 56.3.

Barry Callebaut AG (BARN SW): The world’s biggest bulk- chocolate maker was given an “overweight” recommendation by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in new coverage. The shares added 9.5 francs, or 1.5 percent, to 664.5.

Bucher Industries AG (BUCN SW): The world’s biggest maker of feed-mixing equipment agreed to pay 115 million euros ($164 million) for Kverneland Group’s agricultural baler business. Bucher declined 1.85 francs, or 1.9 percent, to 97.2.

Conzzeta Holding AG (CZH SW): The Swiss maker of metal- cutting machinery forecast a “marked” decline in full-year profit after orders slumped. The shares declined 52 francs, or 3.1 percent, to 1,603.

Lindt & Spruengli AG (LISP SW): JPMorgan initiated coverage of Switzerland’s oldest chocolate maker with a “neutral” recommendation. The stock retreated 73 francs, or 3.6 percent, to 1,940.

PubliGroupe SA (PUBN SW): Switzerland’s largest advertising company said Chief Executive Officer Hans-Peter Rohner will become chairman, replacing Philippe Pidoux, who is stepping down. The shares added 50 centimes, or 0.8 percent, to 63.5 francs.

Roche Holding AG (ROG VX): The world’s biggest maker of cancer medicines said its MabThera drug inhibited the destruction of joints in a study of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Roche dropped 80 centimes, or 0.5 percent, to 159.4 francs.

UBS AG (UBSN VX): The Swiss National Bank said UBS, Switzerland’s biggest bank, has transfered $16.4 billion in troubled assets to the central bank’s rescue fund. The assets were valued at their Sept. 30 price and there is no “significant” difference between the price at which they were transferred and their value in UBS’s books, the central bank said. UBS climbed 8 centimes, or 0.6 percent, to 14.65 francs.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jakob Lindstroem in Stockholm at jlindstroem@bloomberg.net.