Swiss Stocks Nudge Higher As Banks Steady

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks were slightly higher for a second session Thursday, as traders weighed interest rate decisions from around Europe.

Following yesterday's better-than-expected euro zone GDP report, the ECB this morning kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record low 0.25 percent.

Also today, the Bank of England maintained its rate at an all-time low of 0.5 percent and its bond-purchase plan at 375 billion pounds.

Meanwhile, Crimea's parliament unanimously voted in favor of becoming part of Russia on Thursday. Russia has occupied the region of the Ukraine all week.

The Swiss Market Index (SMI) closed 0.29 percent higher at 8,484.

The capped Swiss Leader Index (SLI) rose 0.58 percent to 1305 and the broad Swiss Performance Index (SPI) by 0.83 percent to 8,220 points.

Gainers included Holcim and SGS, both up 1.8 percent.

Computer interface devices maker Logitech confirmed the high end of its fiscal 2014 financial outlook. The stock was up 3.9 percent.

Big banks UBS and Credit Suisse were up more than 1 percent each.

Edisun Power Europe jumped 15 percent.

Zurich Insurance Group nominated Christoph Franz, outgoing Lufthansa boss and new Roche chairman, for election to its board of directors. Shares were flat.