Demand for luxury watches varies a lot depending on which time zone you are in. Companies like Watches of Switzerland that do most of their business in the U.S. are big winners. Data released today by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry shows that exports of Swiss watches to the U.S. rose 27% in July compared to the same month of last year.

Investing.com -- Kepler Cheuvreux upgraded Swatch Group to Buy from Reduce and raised its price target to CHF225 from CHF180, arguing that stronger-than-expected sales momentum, improving profitability and higher earnings estimates leave the Swiss luxury watchmaker well positioned for a valuation re-rating.

↗️ Novartis (CH:NOVN): Shares in the Swiss pharmaceutical company climbed 2% after it returned to sales growth in the second quarter, driven by some of its top-selling drugs. ↗️ General Motors (GM): The automaker raised its earnings guidance.

The Swiss watchmaker returned to growth thanks to a Royal Pop frenzy, but currency pain and weak profitability kept investors from celebrating.

Swatch Group saw a 9% surge in sales in the first half, helped by demand for its co-branded Audemars Piguet watches that sparked riots in May. In U.S. dollars, net profit came in at less than $20 million on $3.7 billion in sales, largely because of Swatch’s labor costs. It defended its decision not to cut back its production capacity, saying it can react quickly now that demand has picked up.

The resulting sales boost that signaled the group’s return to growth also seemed to have an effect on Swiss watch exports for June.

Investing.com -- Prada, Michael Kors and Alaïa recorded the strongest combined digital brand rankings among soft-luxury names during the second quarter, according to BofA’s latest Brand Leading Indicator.

Sales at the luxury group rose 20%, bolstered by its jewelry business and despite a volatile market for the sector.