Swiss Stocks Follow European Markets Higher On ECB Easing

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks edged a bit higher on Thursday, but gains were muted even as investors around the region cheered the European Central Bank's decision to offer monetary stimulus.

The ECB announced two new programs under which it will buy asset-backed securities and covered bonds.

Along with the quantitative easing, the ECB unexpectedly offered three interest rate cuts, dropping its benchmark rate to 0.05 percent from 0.15 percent.

The Swiss Market Index rose 0.35 percent to 8,834.75, another record closing high.

Roche said that Arthur Levinson had resigned from its board of directors with immediate effect. Shares were flat.

Partners Group said it had acquired a 30 percent stake in Turkish natural gas distributor Enerya. Partners shares slipped 0.7 percent.

Logitech said it would restate financial statements from 2011 and 2012 as part of its results for 2014. Shares were up 0.40 percent.