Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 13

ZURICH, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Swiss shares were indicated to open nearly flat on Thursday, even though European shares were expected to extend the previous session's sharp gains after the the U.S. Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy was stabilising.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI.SSMI was indicated to open 5 points lower at 5,958, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed. CLPRE

Shares in UBS (UBSN.VX)(UBS.N) were indicated to open up 0.24 percent. The stock had gained 3 percent on Wednesday after the bank settled a thorny U.S. tax case.

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

UBS (UBSN.VX)(UBS.N)

Swiss bank UBS and the U.S. government have agreed to settle a long-running dispute over the disclosure of names of wealthy American clients suspected of tax evasion.

For related news, click on [UBSN.VX]

JULIUS BAER (BAER.VX)

Julius Baer has hired UBS to advise it on a possible bid for ING private banking units in Asia and Europe, sources with knowledge of the deal told Reuters on Thursday.

For related news, click on [BAER.VX]

PETROPLUS (PPHN.VX)

Petroplus, Europe's largest oil refiner, said on Wednesday it has shut its refinery in Switzerland and reduced operation at another in France, following a pipeline incident last week.

For related news, click on [PPHN.VX]