Most European stocks advanced

Most European stocks advanced before U.S. data that may show durable-goods orders increased and new-house sales held close to a four-year high last month.

The Cyprus Stock Exchange remains closed for trading today and tomorrow due to the continuing bank holidays, according to a statement on CSE’s website.

U.S. durable-goods orders probably rose in February by the most in five months, economists said before the Commerce Department releases the figures at 8:30 a.m. in Washington. The 3.9 percent increase in bookings for goods meant to last at least three years would follow a revised 4.9 percent drop in January, according to the median forecast.

A separate report at 10 a.m. in Washington may show new houses sold at a 420,000 annual pace last month after a 437,000 rate in January, the best back-to-back performance in four years, economists surveyed.

In Italy, Pier Luigi Bersani will meet Silvio Berlusconi’s deputies today in his bid to assume the Italian premiership. Bersani has two days to overcome a shortfall of support in parliament and avoid an immediate return to the polls after inconclusive elections last month. The appointment is set to start at 4:15 p.m. in Rome.

Celesio advanced 2.1 percent to 14.24 euros. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for one-time effects, increased 4.5 percent to 579.6 million euros in 2012. For this year, the company projected an adjusted Ebitda of 580 million euros to 610 million euros.

Bellway Plc rose 2.1 percent to 1,217 pence. The U.K. homebuilder said net income increased 51 percent in the six months ended Jan. 31 to 46 million pounds ($70 million) from a year earlier.

FTSE 100 6,387.75 +9.37 +0.15%

CAC 40 3,753.56 +25.58 +0.69%

DAX 7,898.38 +27.48 +0.35%