** Shares in Avolta AVOL.S rise 2.2% after the Swiss travel and F&B retailer posted its half-year results above expectations
** Avolta's core turnover amounted to 6.61 billion Swiss francs ($8.13 billion), up from 6.34 billion Swiss francs last year
** Vontobel says Avolta's numbers came in above expectations, as travel spendings remains robust despite heightened uncertainties and cautious consumers
** "If the summer months continue to deliver at current growth rates, consensus implies some upside," it says, adding the Swiss company shows solid execution on its mid-term targets so far
** Avolta confirmed its mid-term targets
** The stock, which has gained 17.6% YTD including today's session, sits at the top of Switzerland's mid-cap index .SMIM
($1 = 0.8126 Swiss francs)
(Reporting by Ozan Ergenay)
((ozan.ergenay@thomsonreuters.com))