Switzerland Anticipated to Experience Surge in Shareholder Activism

Recent market volatility triggered by US tariff policies has led to a significant drop in activist campaigns, with a 20% decline year-on-year. In Europe, campaigns fell by 62% in May 2025 alone. Analysts expect activists to pause their initiatives, assessing market conditions before resuming in September. Switzerland has surfaced as a notable target for shareholder activism.

According to the latest A&M Activist Alert Outlook, Switzerland is expected to see a rise in activist campaigns, focusing on industries like Industrials, Consumer, Healthcare, and Technology. Market predictions highlight Switzerland as having 17 high-risk companies for activist targeting in the next 18 months. This anticipation comes despite an overall slowdown in activism due to market uncertainties.

Activistic demands were driven by calls for operational changes, capital allocation adjustments, and M&A solutions. The slowdown presents an opportunity for Swiss firms to improve metrics and adapt strategies before becoming the focus of activist campaigns.