Author: KMFSLLP

* SNB's Jordan says benefits outweigh costs of negative rates

Underscoring U.S. lawmakers' continuing unhappiness with Russia, a Senate committee on Wednesday advanced legislation seeking to hamper Russian energy pipelines and boosting NATO but delayed voting on a measure nicknamed the "sanctions bill from hell" that would punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

A strong currency that hurts exports and risks deflation, or a weak one that hobbles banks and annoys the U.S. -- that's the choice Switzerland faces. For now, at least, it seems to have picked the former.

* Exit polls expected after voting closes at 2200 GMT (Adds details, quote; updates prices)

* China investment, calming unrest and falling dollar support HKD

* HK->Shanghai Connect daily quota used 8.8%, Shanghai->HK daily quota used 0.9%

Foreigners turned net sellers of Japanese stocks for the first time in nine weeks, as caution crept in ahead of a looming U.S. deadline on tariffs on Chinese goods.

Online estate agent Purplebricks Group Plc reported a lower first-half profit on Thursday due to higher restructuring costs following the closure of its U.S. and Australia businesses.

The Swiss National Bank made the following statement after its policy review on Thursday:

The Swiss National Bank kept its ultra-expansive monetary policy in place on Thursday despite rising criticism in Switzerland of its negative interest rates to tame the safe-haven franc.