Syngenta Leads Swiss Stocks Sharply Higher

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks followed other European markets sharply higher, led by a stellar performance from Syngenta.

Markets around the region were in a giddy mood after UK's pro-business Conservative Party was the big winner in general elections.

The Swiss Market Index (SMI) rose 2.48% to 9,093.33 points, for a modest weekly gain of 0.2%.

Syngenta skyrocketed 19.3 percent in Zurich, after the Swiss crop chemicals firm rejected a takeover offer from U.S.-based Monsanto.

Addeco was up 2.9 percent a day after the unexpected resignation of Chief Executive Patrick De Maeseneire.

Holcim was up 2.5 percent as the Swiss cement giant's shareholders approved the issuance of new shares to pay for its merger with Lafarge.