The Swiss stock market index SMI has broken through the 14,000-point level for the first time in history. The breakthrough occurred on Tuesday afternoon, and the index continued to rise, posting a gain of over 1%. This success allowed the Swiss stock market to detach itself from weaker conditions on major European markets and uncertainty related to the situation in the United States. The rise was driven primarily by food companies, including Nestlé.
Historic High for the SMI Index
The Swiss stock market index SMI broke through the 14,000-point level for the first time, posting a gain of over 1%.
Decoupling from Global Trends
The SMI's success allowed the Swiss market to escape the negative sentiment in the USA and weaker conditions on major European stock exchanges.
Main Drivers of Growth
The rise was primarily driven by food companies, led by Nestlé, as well as defensive and cyclical stocks.
Consequences for Investors and Companies
The historic record has psychological significance and could influence investor sentiment and the valuations of companies listed on the exchange.
The Swiss stock market index SMI reached a historic milestone on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, breaking through the 14,000-point barrier for the first time. The breakthrough occurred at 14:34, and the index continued its upward trend, reaching approximately 14,033 points around 16:00, representing a 1.14% increase compared to the previous day's closing. This record-breaking result allowed the Swiss capital market to avoid the negative impact of weaker conditions prevailing on major European stock exchanges and uncertainty related to the economic situation in the United States. As analysts emphasize, some support also flowed in from New York. The growth momentum was primarily driven by companies from the food sector, led by the global giant Nestlé, as well as so-called defensive and cyclical stocks. The index's rise above this psychological barrier has symbolic significance and could improve the sentiment of both retail and institutional investors. The SMI index was launched on June 30, 1988, with a base level of 1500 points. Its composition is regularly reviewed, and over the past decades, it has reflected the transformation of the Swiss economy towards the pharmaceutical, financial, and consumer goods sectors. The breakthrough of 10,000 points occurred in 2014, and subsequent records have often been associated with global economic recovery or the internal strength of Swiss export-oriented companies. The SMI's success highlights the relative resilience and attractiveness of Swiss blue-chip stocks during periods of global volatility. It signifies an increase in the value of the country's most important companies, which may translate into market capitalization, the ability to raise capital, and the overall assessment of the economy's health. For shareholders, the historic peak is a positive signal, although experts point out the need to monitor further global macroeconomic factors that could influence the sustainability of the trend.
Mentioned People
- Benita Vogel — SRF economics editor, commenting on the SMI index record