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By Chris Prentice and Marc Jones
NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Global equities rose on Thursday on news that a large group of banks were infusing cash into U.S. lender First Republic Bank and as a lifeline from the Swiss National Bank to Credit Suisse eased fears of a global banking crisis.
European and U.S. bond yields were also higher, as oil snapped a three-day rout.
Spot gold prices edged up.
The European Central Bank pressed forward with a 50-basis-point rate hike despite recent turmoil in financial markets.
First Republic Bank's shares jumped nearly 22% before trading was halted on Thursday after several large banks were said to be in talks to deposit billions of dollars to salvage the embattled lender, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.
"The best lifelines for the banks, or any company, is when other companies are interested. The banks coming in here suggests the bleeding is stopping," said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist for LPL Financial in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Credit Suisse's shares spent most of the day up around 20% after the Swiss National Bank (SNB) swooped in with support.
Money markets are still largely pricing in a 25-basis-point rate hike by the Federal Reserve next week, while ECB President Christine Lagarde described her central bank's rate rise on Thursday, which took its key rate to 3%, as a "robust decision" to bring inflation back under control.
"The implications for the Fed's meeting next week suggests that the Fed will raise rates 25 basis points," Krosby said.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 371.98 points, or 1.17%, to 32,246.55, the S&P 500 gained 68.35 points, or 1.76%, to 3,960.28 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 283.23 points, or 2.48%, to 11,717.28.
"If you take a look at global central bank rate expectations, it seems we're nearing the end. The effects of these rate hikes are becoming destructive for the economy," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at data and analytics firm OANDA.
"Markets are up today, but this is like watching a slow-motion train wreck for the economy."
The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 49 nations, gained 1.27%.
Europe's STOXX 600 closed the day 1.3% higher, rebounding after dropping 0.6% immediately after the ECB rate-hike news to touch a fresh 10-week low.
The banking sector index gained more than 1%, bouncing back from an intraday drop following the rate hike.
The SNB confirmed early on Thursday that it would provide "liquidity" to Credit Suisse, which said it was taking "decisive action" and would borrow up to 50 billion Swiss francs ($53.76 billion).