In the financial world, the SIX Swiss Exchange has reported a noteworthy development in stock market turnover for the year 2024. The data released by SIX sheds light on the performance of the SIX Swiss Exchange and the BME Exchange in Switzerland and Spain, respectively.

SIX, the entity overseeing Switzerland’s financial market infrastructure, has been under the stewardship of Bjørn Sibbern as the new CEO since the beginning of the year. The recently disclosed figures for December and the entire 2024 year indicate interesting trends in trading activities, serving as a significant barometer for investor sentiment within the Swiss financial landscape.

Switzerland witnessed a 13.4% surge in total stock exchange turnover, reaching CHF 1,187 billion. Despite a marginal 1.3% dip in equities, other sectors like bonds experienced substantial growth, with a remarkable 76% upsurge. Notably, exchange trade funds (ETFs) and securitized derivatives also saw positive increments of 31% and 12.8%, respectively.

Interestingly, while the turnover in bonds surged, the number of transactions presents a divergent scenario. Equities saw a 2.5% increase in transactions, contrasting with a 7.8% decrease in bond transactions. This discrepancy hints at a potential shift in the methodology of volume recording for bond trades.

In the realm of initial public offerings (IPOs), 2024 presented a subdued landscape, with Galderma marking the most substantial IPO since 2017. On the equity front, listed companies collectively raised CHF 2.3 billion. In contrast, the bond sector saw a robust performance, breaching the CHF 100 billion mark for the third consecutive year, with debtors raising CHF 104 billion through 453 new issues.

Conversely, Spain’s BME Exchange encountered a contrasting scenario with a 6% increase in share trading volume but a significant 43.5% decline in bond turnover, resulting in an overall turnover decrease of 12.9% to 423 billion euros. Despite Spain’s relatively stable economy within Europe, this resilience is not mirrored in its stock market activities.

The data from SIX Swiss Exchange and the BME Exchange not only offer insights into the financial market trends but also reflect the broader economic dynamics affecting Switzerland and Spain. These figures serve as essential indicators for investors, policymakers, and financial analysts navigating the intricate world of stock exchanges and trading activities.