The Swiss Market Index dipped below the 6,000 mark Tuesday, pushed lower by market uncertainty over Greek debt.

The SMI fell 1 percent to 5977, marginally better than exchanges in London and Frankfurt.

Positive macroeconomic data from Germany briefly helped stocks, but fears of a Greek default and the failure for a government to form in Greece, brought markets lower.

One of the biggest losers on the SMI was Basel biotech firm Actelion, losing 4 percent, after indicating it would be cutting costs through unnamed measures after booking a 146 million franc loss for last year.  

Financial news agency AWP reported company management indicated the possibility of lay-offs at Actelion was being explored.