SMI slips 5 points as ABB weighs at midday

Published on 10/20/2026 at 13:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

SMI stands at 14,364 points at midday as ABB slides after earnings; U.S. housing data are due at 2:30 p.m. CEST.

ABB earnings pressure the SMI

SMI stood at 14,364 points at 12:12 p.m. CEST, down 5 points or 0.03 percent on October 20, 2026.
ABB fell 5.4 percent despite a 20.8 percent operating EBITA margin in the third quarter.
Alcon led SMI gainers with a 2.1 percent rise at midday.
U.S. housing data are due at 2:30 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026.

SMI, CH0009980894, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

The SMI is down 5 points, or 0.03 percent, at 14,364 points at 12:12 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026, as ABB's slump offsets gains in defensive shares, finanzen.ch reports.

ABB is down 5.4 percent after its third-quarter results, while the SMI opened at 14,367 points. The company exceeded several expectations, but technology selling weighed on the shares, cash reports.

Why is the SMI lower at midday?

ABB reported third-quarter operating EBITA of USD 2,026 million against an AWP consensus of USD 2,002 million. Its operating EBITA margin was 20.8 percent against an expected 20.5 percent.

Cash.ch linked the selling pressure to weaker sentiment toward technology stocks, rising oil prices and renewed inflation and interest-rate concerns. Defensive demand for Roche and Novartis is cushioning the broader decline.

Winners and losers in the SMI

Winners and losers at 12:12 p.m. CEST according to finanzen.ch:

Alcon up 2.1 percent.
Roche up 1.6 percent after Oddo BHF raised its rating to Outperform, Moneycab reports.
Novartis up 0.8 percent.
ABB down 5.4 percent after earnings, cash reports.
Partners Group down 1.5 percent.
Sika down 1.3 percent.

SMI holds near its opening level

The index has moved only 4 points below its opening level. Its previous close was 14,369 points on October 19, 2026.

Earlier Swiss data showed September exports rising 1.5 percent month over month on a nominal, seasonally adjusted basis. The September trade surplus was CHF 1.35 billion, according to the cash morning briefing.

SMI turns to U.S. housing data

October 20, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CEST: U.S. housing starts and building permits for September, with consensus at 1.31 million and 1.40 million units, Teleborsa reports.
October 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CEST: U.S. pending home sales, with consensus for a 0.5 percent monthly decline, Teleborsa reports.
October 22, 2026, 7:00 a.m. CEST: Roche reports third-quarter sales and Nestle publishes nine-month sales, AFP reports.

SMI price data for October 20, 2026

The SMI stood at 14,364 points at 12:12 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026, down 5 points or 0.03 percent from the previous close of 14,369 points. It opened at 14,367 points, finanzen.ch reports.

SMI by the numbers on October 20, 2026

Index: SMI
Home exchange: SIX Swiss Exchange, Switzerland
Level at 12:12 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026: 14,364 points
Change versus previous close of October 19, 2026: down 5 points (down 0.03 percent)
Previous close: 14,369 points
Open: 14,367 points
Top gainer: Alcon up 2.1 percent
Top loser: ABB down 5.4 percent
Next scheduled event: October 20, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CEST: U.S. housing starts and building permits