MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Releases from Switzerland, Europe and US are on the cards

for Thursday, in what is a big day for central banks.

     Bundesbank Board member Buckhard Balz is speaking in Frankfurt at 0715GMT.

     At 0830GMT, the Swiss National Bank interest rate decision is expected. In

the previous meeting, the Swiss National Bank kept its benchmark three-month

Libor rate unchanged at -0.75%.

     The Norges Bank policy decision is expected at 0900GMT.

     In the afternoon, the ECB has its December meeting at 1245GMT. The ECB

Deposit Rate and Main Refinancing Rate is anticipated to remain unchanged at

-0.4% and 0% respectively. The Marginal Lending Rate was previously unchanged at

0.25%. Following the ECB December meeting is the press conference in Frankfurt

at 1330GMT, which will be closely watched for the latest utterances from

President Mario Draghi.

     The level of US initial jobless claims, due at 1330GMT, is expected to fall

by 4,000 to a 227,000 level in the December 8 week after a decrease of 4,000 to

231,000 level in the previous week.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com