Global stock markets have experienced a volatile six months. Nevertheless, the SMI closes the first half-year on a positive note. 

The importance of women's elite sport is growing worldwide. This is reflected in fans' excitement for the Women's European Football Championship, which starts in Basel on 2 July. An increasing number of sponsors are recognising this potential and expanding their partnerships with female athletes.

Advances in artificial intelligence are driving demand for high-performance data centres. Suppliers such as ABB, Schneider Electric and Siemens could benefit from this trend.

In uncertain market phases, products offering capital protection are particularly sought after. The capital protection certificate on Alcon, Kühne + Nagel and Sika offers a minimum repayment of 96% at maturity. In addition, investors participate in the positive performance of the underlying.

Since Donald Trump's re-election as US President, the outlook for the global healthcare sector has deteriorated. In this environment, investment instruments that offer both a safety net and attractive yield opportunities are in demand. With the ZKB bonus certificate on five Swiss pharmaceutical stocks, investors participate in the potential of the underlying securities without being fully exposed to market fluctuations.

European insurers have outperformed the stock market year-to-date. Due to their stable business model, they are considered to be reliable dividend payers, making their shares an ideal underlying for yield enhancement products.

German mid caps are in demand. However, there are considerable performance differences among MDax members since the beginning of the year.

The IPO of Holcim's North American business is on track and is expected to take place in June. Meanwhile, industrial companies ABB and OC Oerlikon are also offloading business dividisions to sharpen their profiles.

Wall Street has recovered from the losses triggered in early April by the turmoil surrounding US tariff policy. However, some technology giants are still trading well below the levels they reached before the market correction.

Global equity markets have started the year at different speeds. Barrier reverse convertibles on the SMI, EuroStoxx 50 and S&P 500 offer diversification across regions and sectors.