Stock Market Guide to the Swiss Exchange
The Swiss Exchange, or SIX, is one of the most technologically advanced stock exchanges in the world. And it is for this reason the SIX is the focal point and the main infrastructure in the financial sector in Switzerland. The Swiss Exchange manages and controls the vital links in the market, and provides one of the leading securities exchanges. The focus point in commercial trading has been the establishment of trading platforms that are completely automated, information services of products, a diverse listing of securities and an operational cash market. Through their technologically advanced trading systems, securities that are of the highest standards, can be traded, confirmed, settled and cleared by the system.
The SIX Swiss Exchange is committed to the local market in Switzerland, as well and the international market and investors. Products such as international bonds, CHF-denominated bonds, Exchange Traded Funds, derivatives and traditional investments, are available on the Swiss Exchange. It is the variety of the products and the security of the stock exchange that assists the SIX Swiss Exchange to remain one of the leaders in the field. It is also the largest listed warrants and trade warrants exchange in Europe, that has flexible, fast responding services available and a large product range. Major companies such as Absolute Europe, Baxter International, General Motors Corporation, McDonalds Corporation, Pfizer Inc and Volkswagen AG are listed with the SIX, and the Swiss Exchange is regulated by the SFBC, meaning Swiss Federal Banking Commission.
The infrastructure of the financial market in Switzerland is known
as the
Swiss Value Chain. This infrastructure developed and implemented the
STP
(Straight Through Processing) system that restructured the framework of
the
automated systems, to meet international standards. This system reduces
the
cost of trade. The Swiss Value Chain is therefore the most efficient
system
in processing of securities in Europe.
Due to the success of the economy in Switzerland, the export and
import
market is very well balanced. The products that are imported
correspond
with the products that are exported, with varying amounts due to demand. International banking and trading facilities ensure a
strong
economy, as does the health care, education, living standards and
productivity of work. Switzerland has extremely low inflation rates and
minimal unemployment. Almost 20 percent of the current labor force
consists
of foreigners. Food products and raw materials are the most imported
items,
as Switzerland does not have many mineral resources. Tourism plays a
very
important role in the economy as it assists in balancing the trade
deficit
in Switzerland. The major trading partners in the import and export
market
are Japan, Italy, the US, France, Germany, the UK, Netherlands and
Austria.
Frequently imported and exported goods include watches, jewelry,
clothing,
leather, textiles, sand, stone, paper, tools, metals, vehicles and
machinery. The Swiss Exchange continues to play an integral role in the economy of Switzerland.
