Swiss Stocks Join European Rally

(RTTNews) - Swiss stocks rallied on Monday, following other European markets sharply higher amid hopes the Ukraine and Russia can avoid further confrontation.

The Swiss Market Index rose 1.04 percent to 8,453.59, boosted by widespread gains in most sectors.

Roche Holding AG is reported in talks to buy all remaining shares of Japan's Chugai Pharmaceutical for about $10 billion. Roche added 1.3 percent.

SGS added 1.3 percent. The company said it has been awarded laboratory status in China.

Logitech said it has been granted to extension until October 15 to file securities documents to Nasdaq. Shares slipped 0.4 percent.

In economic news from the eurozone, data released by Eurostat showed eurozone trade surplus to have increased unexpectedly in June, rising to EUR 16.8 billion, from EUR 15.4 billion in May. Economists had expected the trade surplus to decrease to EUR 15.1 billion.