Europe Stocks Rise Most in Three Weeks on Central-Bank Optimism

---

European stocks rose the most in almost three weeks, poised for their best quarter since 2009, amid optimism central banks will continue to support global growth.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 1.1 percent to 399.84 at the close of trading, extending gains after data showed pending sales of U.S. homes rose more than forecast in February. The benchmark gauge on Friday trimmed its worst weekly loss of the year, buoyed by health-care shares. It’s up 17 percent in 2015.

China’s central bank governor said on Sunday the government can do more to support growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said on Friday she expects the central bank to start raising rates this year, with subsequent increases taking place gradually.

Source : Bloomberg