Stock indices closed higher on speculation the ECB will add further stimulus measures as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) announced today that it will discontinue the 1.20 per euro exchange rate floor.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) President Thomas Jordan said at a press conference on Thursday that the SNB will intervene in the foreign exchange markets if required.

Investors speculate that the European Central Bank could decide on its policy meeting on January 22 to purchase government bonds.

Eurozone's trade surplus widened to €20.0 billion in November from €19.6 billion in October, missing expectations for a rise to €21.3 billion. October's figure was revised up from a surplus of €19.4 billion.

The increase was driven by a weaker euro and falling oil prices.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,498.78 +110.32 +1.73%

DAX 10,032.61 +215.53 +2.20%

CAC 40 4,323.2 +99.96 +2.37%