The Swiss equity market welcomed the new year 2023 in a much more positive frame of mind than it ended the previous one. The leading SMI index appreciated tangibly in the first two days of trading, hurdling the psychologically important 11,000 barrier again for the first time in three weeks. The start-of-year rally was driven by hopes that inflation would weaken and enable central banks to engage a lower gear. It could be a little too early for a general all-clear, however. Latvia\u2019s central bank boss Martins Kazaks, for instance, reckons monetary policy will initially be even more restrictive. \u201cCurrently I would see that at the February and March meetings we will have significant rate increases,\u201d the ECB Governing Council member said to news agency Bloomberg at the start of the year.<\/p>\n
The uncertainties regarding interest rates, inflation, economic growth and geopolitical developments will likely dominate the new stock market year as well. Although the majority of experts are hopeful that equity markets will see a return to better times in 2023, it can't do any harm to take out some partial protection. The most popular yield optimisation products in Switzerland are barrier reverse convertibles, which are instruments that enable returns to be made on shares that are treading water. Should the markets actually head upwards in the coming months, though, this structure does not allow any participation. A remedy is provided by bonus certificates which on the one hand protect owners from losses thanks to a risk buffer, and on the other enable them to profit on a 1:1 basis from price increases above the bonus level.<\/p>\n