Swiss Stock Market Extends Losing Streak

The Swiss stock market finished lower on Friday for the third straight session, dropping more than 210 points or 1.9 percent in that span.

The SMI opened slightly higher but quickly turned lower, spending the rest of the day well beneath the unchanged line - in line with most other European markets.

Investors were unimpressed with the latest batch of European economic data, and they remain nervous about the Federal Reserve's rate decision next week - although it is widely expected that the Fed will leave rates unchanged.

For the day, the index shed 54.48 points or 0.48 percent to finish at 11,254.42 after trading between 11,238.63 and 11,321.23.