BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Swiss stocks rallied to end the abbreviated week on high note, as traders went bargain hunting ahead of the Easter holiday.
The Swiss Market Index (SMI) rose 52 points, or 0.63 percent, to 8,375.08.
Big banks performed well, led by UBS with a 2 percent gains.
Biotech major Actelion posted first-quarter earnings that beat expectations. Shares rose 0.2 percent.
Walter Meier said it had successfully completed its share buyback program, raising 139.9 million Swiss francs. Shares rose 0.6 percent.
Art & Fragrance said net profit fell to 5.8 million Swiss francs in 2013 due to one-time costs.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX