Swiss Stocks Stutter After Recent Gains

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks edged lower in quiet dealing Friday, as investors booked profits from this week's gains.

With few catalysts and Wall Street closed for the U.S. Independence Day break, Swiss stocks bounced back and forth around the unchanged line all day.

The Swiss Market Index settled lower by 8,678.44, unable to break through after testing record highs on Thursday.

UBS lost 1 percent and Julis Baer was down fractionally, extending recent losses.

Roche said Japan has approved its advanced lung cancer drug alectinib. Shares were down 0.15 percent.

Georg Fischer says its machining solutions division has acquired Swiss company Liechti Engineering AG. Fischer shares rose 0.7 percent.

Nobel Biocare said its executive board would be reduced by two members. Shares rose 0.7 percent.