European stocks rose

European stocks rose, following their biggest drop in more than two weeks, as investors awaited American data to gauge whether the world’s largest economy has rebounded from the harsh winter. U.S. index futures also climbed, while Asian shares were little changed.

A U.S. report at 10 a.m. in New York will show the Conference Board’s consumer-confidence index rose this month, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity in the U.S. A separate release at the same time will probably show new house sales in America declined last month after climbing in January to the highest level since July 2008, economists projected.

German business confidence slipped this month, data showed. The Ifo institute’s business-climate index, based on a survey of executives, fell to 110.7 from 111.3 in February. That missed the 110.9 median economist estimate compiled by Bloomberg.

EasyJet added 5.7 percent to 1,725 pence. The low-cost airline forecast a pretax loss for the first half of its financial year of 55 million pounds ($91 million) to 65 million pounds, narrower than its Jan. 23 prediction for a loss of as much as 90 million pounds.

Luxottica increased 4.3 percent to 40.65 euros. The world’s largest maker of glasses will design, develop and sell spectacles that use Google Glass technology, according to a joint statement late yesterday. Google Glass combines a small screen, camera and audio on a device worn at eye level. Luxottica owns the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands.

Baloise rose 2.6 percent to 111.90 Swiss francs after saying it plans to increase its payout to 4.75 francs ($5.38), more than the Bloomberg dividend forecast of 4.50 francs. The 151-year-old insurer also reported profit that climbed 3.7 percent to 453 million francs last year, missing the 467.8 million-franc average analyst projection compiled by Bloomberg.

FTSE 100 6,588.75 +68.36 +1.05%

CAC 40 4,325.16 +48.82 +1.14%

DAX 9,298.18 +109.41 +1.19%