European Stocks Rise as Spain, France Sell Bonds; Commerzbank Shares Climb

European stocks gained for a fourth day, extending a five-month high for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index, as Spain and France sold bonds at lower yields and fewer Americans than forecast filed claims for jobless benefits.

Commercialism AG (CBK) led a rally in financial shares, surging 14 percent, after outlining measures to boost capital. Alston SA (ALO), the world’s third-largest power-equipment maker, jumped 13 percent after predicting “strong” orders in its fiscal fourth quarter.

Carefuller SA (CA), the biggest retailer in Europe by sales, dropped 1.6 percent after saying profit was at the lower end of its forecasts.

The Stoxx 600 gained 1 percent to 255.91 at 1:48 p.m. in London, the highest since Aug. 3.

The gauge has advanced 4.7 percent in 2012, the best start to a year since 1997, as reports around the world added to optimism that the economy is strengthening.

Greece’s government heads into a second day of talks with private creditors today in a push to reach an accord that would slash the nation’s debt.

From: Bloomberg