Execs Head to the Swiss Alps for Specialized Business Degrees
'Our board said, 'You know, the schools that have a greater footprint in the degree program space, they've been a little bit more resilient,'' says David Bach, IMD's president. The school's prestigious, though small, MBA programs held their ground during Covid-19; in fact, those programs' revenue has remained steady since at least 2019. The board urged Bach, who was then the school's dean of innovation and programs, and his colleagues: 'You really ought to look at a couple of opportunities in the degree program space.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Swiss-listed shares in Comet slump after chip equipment group cuts annual outlook
- Swiss-listed shares of Comet shed more than 19% of their value on Thursday, after semiconductor equipment group slashed its full-year guidance and flagged that it will not see a second-half rebound in sales at its key plasma control technology division. Comet develops and manufactures components and systems like radio frequency-based generators, capacitors and other gear that are mainly used in the chipmaking industry. Its x-ray modules are utilized to inspect manufactured items, such as in the automotive and electronics industries, as well as in luggage and cargo inspection at airports. In its half-year update, Comet flagged the impact of an "increasingly volatile macroeconomic environment" and geopolitical uncertainty, although it said strong demand for artificial intelligence and high-end computing helped to underpin the semiconductor industry at the end of the first half of 2025. Still, chip volumes in sectors like autos and consumer electronics continue to "show signs of weakness," Comet warned. "As a broader market recovery remains pending, a rebound in volumes in plasma control technologies is not expected in the second half of 2025," Comet said, referring to a segment accounted for much of group-wide revenue in the first half. Its other x-ray units were hit by weak-end markets, as consumers ratcheted in spending because of concerns over tariffs, Comet said. The firm warned that the "short-term outlook is less optimistic than anticipated earlier in the year," but said it will continue to pursue introducing new products and improve efficiency to respond to wider "challenges." Against this backdrop, Comet lowered its guidance for full-year net sales to between CHF 460 million to CHF 500 million, down from a prior forecast of CHF 480 million to CHF 520 million. Core earnings margin is also seen at 10%-14%, versus 17%-20% previously. "Hence, using the mid points of its newly introduced guidance suggests significant downside to fsical year 2025 consensus earnings per share estimates," analysts at UBS said in a note. For its first half, group sales came in at CHF 227 million, implying growth of 20% compared to a year earlier, while reported core income was CHF 21 million. Both metrics fell short of consensus expectations, UBS noted. Related articles Swiss-listed shares in Comet slump after chip equipment group cuts annual outlook Apollo economist warns: AI bubble now bigger than 1990s tech mania If Powell goes, does Fed trust go with him? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
an hour ago
Switzerland, the land of luxury brands, could see prices skyrocket from Trump's 39% tariffs
Prices for the eponymous Swiss watches, Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheese could skyrocket in a week as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. Switzerland, home to some the world's most recognizable luxury brands, now faces an upcoming 39% tariff from the U.S. Industry groups on Friday warned that both Swiss companies and American consumers could pay the price. Trump signed an executive order Thursday placing tariffs on many U.S. trade partners — the next step in his trade agenda that will test the global economy and alliances — that's set to take effect next Thursday. The order applies to 66 countries, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands. In Switzerland, officials failed to reach a final agreement with the U.S. after Trump initially threatened a 31% tariff in April. Swiss companies will now have one of the steepest export duties — only Laos, Myanmar and Syria had higher figures, at 40-41%. The 27-member EU bloc and Britain, meanwhile, negotiated 15% and 10% tariffs, respectively. The Swiss government spent Friday — the country's National Day — reeling from the news. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said that the 39% figure was a surprise, because negotiators had hashed out a deal last month with the Trump administration that apparently wasn't approved by the American leader himself. 'We will now analyze the situation and try to find a solution," Keller-Sutter told reporters. 'I can't say what the outcome will be, but it will certainly damage the economy.' The U.S. goods trade deficit with Switzerland was $38.5 billion last year, a 56.9% increase over 2023, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Keller-Sutter said that she believes Trump ultimately chose the 39% tariff, because the figure rounded up from the $38.5 billion goods trade deficit. 'It was clear that the president was focused on the trade deficit and only this issue,' she said. For Swiss watch companies, whose products already come with price tags in the tens of thousands — if not the hundreds of thousands — of euros, a timepiece for an arm could cost a leg, too, come next week. The 39% figure was especially galling to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, because Switzerland in 2024 got rid of import tariffs on all industrial goods. 'As Switzerland has eliminated all custom duties on imported industrial products, there is no problem with reciprocity between Switzerland and the U.S.,' the federation said in a statement. 'The tariffs constitute a severe problem for our bilateral relations.' Swiss watch exports were already facing a prolonged slowdown, with significant declines in the United States, Japan and Hong Kong, according to the federation's June figures, the most recent available. Swatch and Rolex declined to comment Friday. Representatives for Patek Philippe, IWC and Breitling didn't respond to requests for comment. Multinational chocolatiers Nestlé and Lindt & Sprüngli said they have production lines in the U.S. for American customers. But small- and medium-sized Swiss companies are predicted to suffer under the tariffs. Roger Wehrli, chief executive of the Association of Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers. also known as Chocosuisse, said Switzerland exports 7% of its chocolate production to the U.S. It's not just the 39% tariff that's the issue. Once the manufacturers factor in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Swiss francs ($1 to 1.23 francs on Friday), Wehrli said, it's close to a 50% increase in costs for the Swiss companies. And that's a big number to pass on to American consumers, if the already-slim margins aren't further reduced. 'I expect that our industry will lose customers in the United States, and that sales volumes will decrease heavily,' he told The Associated Press. Wehrli said that he wants Swiss chocolatiers to sell to other markets around the globe to make up the difference. Still, he hopes American customers remember that Swiss quality beats cheaper quantity. 'I think even if prices for Swiss chocolate increase due to the very high tariffs, I think it's worth (it) to buy Swiss chocolate," he said. 'It's worth (it) to really eat it consciously and to really enjoy it instead of eating a lot.' Swiss pharmaceuticals powerhouse Roche says that it's working to ensure its patients and customers worldwide have access to their medications and diagnostics amid the Trump tariff war. 'While we believe pharmaceuticals and diagnostics should be exempt from tariffs to protect patient access, supply chains and ultimately future innovation, we are prepared for potential tariffs being implemented and confident in managing any impacts,' the statement said. The company in April Meanwhile, Novartis, another major Swiss pharmaceutical firm, said in a statement that it was reviewing Trump's executive order.
Skift
3 hours ago
- Skift
Winners, Losers, and Lots of Premium Seats: Europe's Airline Scorecard
Premium cabins still drive profits, but it's the low-cost threat that keeps Europe's legacy carriers up at night. Europe's three big legacy airline groups – Lufthansa, IAG, and Air France-KLM – all reported earnings over the past two days, offering a revealing snapshot of the continent's aviation story. While demand for travel remains strong, the results show different stages of turnaround and profitability across the region's major flag carriers. For the Lufthansa Group, recent years have been defined by labor strikes, operational stumbles, aircraft delivery delays, and stiff new aviation taxes. Last year, the group eked out a 4% operating margin largely thanks to its cargo and maintenance arms – while its flagship Lufthansa airline actually lost money. The second quarter suggests Lufthansa's long-promised turnaround is finally taking shape. It posted a group-wide 8% operating margin, up nearly two points year on year. Lufthansa mainline managed 5%, while Swiss soared to 13%, Austrian quietly hit nearly 10%, and even leisure carrier Eurowings turned
