European Markets Rise on Good Earnings and Better Than Growth Out of Germany

“Most European stocks rose as the region’s economy grew more than estimated and earnings at companies from Vivendi SA (VIV) to UniCredit SpA (UCG) topped forecasts. U.S. index futures and Asian shares advanced.

Vivendi climbed 2.3 percent as the owner of the world’s biggest music and video-game companies said first-quarter profit rose 29 percent. UniCredit, Italy’s largest bank, advanced 2.1 percent. European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. gained 4.7 percent as adjusted earnings rose.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index increased less than 0.1 percent to 282.03 at 12:02 p.m. in London, with the gauge on course for its third weekly gain in four. Three stocks rose for every two that fell. The measure has rallied 7.6 percent from this year’s low on March 16 as companies including PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ericsson AB reported results that topped analysts’ estimates and the U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its pledge to keep interest rates low for an extended period.”

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