CS Credit Suisse Group

SMI closes 1.28% higher at 8402.82. Novartis (NOVN.VX) rises 2.13% by the close, after the pharmaceutical giant posts a fourth-quarter decline in profit but also says it should see profit and sales growth this year despite a recent central bank move to let the value of the Swiss franc increase, and adds that it will raise its dividend for 2014 compared to 2013. The country's big banks slide, with Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX) losing 0.2% and UBS (UBSN.VX) falling 0.19%. Both banks are expected to report results in about two weeks. Private bank Julius Baer (BAER.VX) posts the biggest decline of the day, falling 1.08% roughly one week before it is expected to report results. (john.letzing@wsj.com)

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