1026 GMT - Share-buyback activity among Swiss companies declined last year, but there is potential for more repurchase programs in 2025, Vontobel analysts say in a note. Companies in the Swiss Performance Index repurchased stock valued at nearly 18 billion francs in 2024, a 14% decline from the year before, according to Vontobel. The value of the aggregate stock buybacks represents 1% of the SPI's market capitalization, Vontobel says. "We see potential for more buyback activity in 2025 as large caps such as ABB and Holcim are likely to announce new programs," the analysts say. When taking into account both buybacks and dividends, Avolta, Calida, mobilezone, Nestle, Novartis, and Zurich Insurance offer yields--the ratio of returns relative to the stock price--of more than 6%, Vontobel says. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 15, 2025 05:27 ET (10:27 GMT)

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