Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on July 31

ZURICH, July 31 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks are set to rise at open on Thursday, tracking overnight gains in the United States and in line with other European markets. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI.SSMI was indicated to open some 64 points higher at 7,173 points, data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed.

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks Thursday:

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

* Roche said on Thursday its MabThera drug had been filed for the treatment of leukaemia in the EU.

* The Swiss drugmaker said in a separate statement Chugai (4519.T) and Genentech DNA.N had reached a supply agreement for Actemra.

For related news, click on ROG.VX-RTRS-LEN]

UBS(UBSN.VX)

UBS will pay Massachusetts $1 million as part of its agreement to settle the state's probe into the investment bank's inappropriate sale of auction-rate securities to 17 cities and towns.

For related news, click on [UBSN.VX-RTRS-LEN]

ZURICH (ZURN.VX)

Zurich Financial Services said on Wednesday it has acquired privately-owned German accident insurer Baden-Badener Versicherungs AG retroactively as of January 1.

For related news, click on [ZURN.VX-RTRS-LEN]

BASILEA (BSLN.S)

Basilea said the concerned EU Member States recommended the regulatory approval of its drug Toctino (alitretinoin).

For related news, click on [BSLN.S-RTRS-LEN]

ESMERTEC ESMN.S

Esmertec said on Thursday it had signed an agreement to acquire mobile software platform activities from Sagem Mobiles.

For related news, click on [ESMN.S-RTRS-LEN]

ECONOMY

Swiss consumer prices rose to a fresh 15-year high of 3.1 percent from a year ago in July, although they were 0.4 percent lower compared with the previous month, the Federal Statistics Office said on Thursday.

Economists had expected the annual inflation rate to 3.0 percent after 2.9 percent in June.ECONCH

For related news, click on [M-CH-ECI-RTRS-LEN]

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Sika(SIK.S) reports 2008 half-year results, says positive growth clouded by currency adjustments [LEN-SIK.S]

* SGS(SGSN.VX) has been notified by the von Finck Family that following an acquisition of shares on 29 July 2008 its shareholding has passed the threshold of 25 percent [LEN-SGSN.VX]

* Compagnie Financiere Tradition (CFT.S) reported buoyant first-half trading conditions, with consolidated turnover for the period up by 16.5 percent, to 788.3 million Swiss francs [CFT.S-LEN]

* SchweizerhallSWHN.S says first half-year 2008 closes with a record result [SWHN.S-LEN]

* Looser (LOHN.S) group management Change at Looser Holding [LOHN.S-LEN]

* BB Biotech (BION.S) reports first-half results [BION.S-LEN]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

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.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

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