European stocks advanced for a second day

European stocks advanced for a second day as investors awaited data that may show an increase in U.S. durable-goods orders. U.S. stock-index futures and Asian shares rose.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.7 percent to 330.7 at 9:59 a.m. in London. The benchmark index is heading for a 2.2 percent drop this month, its biggest monthly decline since June, amid tension between the West and Russia over Ukraine, and data indicating a slowdown in Chinese economic growth. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures increased 0.2 percent today and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1 percent.

A report at 8:30 a.m. New York time will show U.S. durable-goods orders rose 0.8 percent in February after declining 1 percent the previous month, according to the average economist estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.

A gauge of German consumer confidence will remain at a seven-year high in April, Nuremberg-based GfK AG said today. The research company estimated that its consumer sentiment index will hold at 8.5 next month, unchanged from March.

President Mario Draghi late yesterday reiterated in a speech in Paris that the European Central Bank will act if necessary to safeguard the region’s economy.

He also said the central bank’s accommodative monetary policy should become more effective within the euro-area economy as disruptions in the financial system dissipate, while warning that risks remain.

Airbus climbed 1.4 percent to 52.76 euros. The aircraft manufacturer and Avic plan to produce 1,000 EC175 helicopters over the next 20 years, according to the report, which didn’t cite anyone.

Mediaset added 1.1 percent to 3.92 euros. The broadcaster said late yesterday that net income last year totaled 8.9 million euros ($12.3 million) after a net loss in 2012. Sales fell 8.2 percent to 3.41 billion euros, compared with the 3.44 billion-euro average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Lloyds slipped 3.9 percent to 76 pence. The U.K. government raised 4.2 billion pounds ($6.9 billion) from selling shares at 75.5 pence apiece, U.K. Financial Investments Ltd., which manages the government’s investment in the lender, said in a statement. The shares were sold at a 4.6 percent discount to yesterday’s closing price. The sale reduces the government’s stake in Lloyds to less than 25 percent from 33 percent.

FTSE 100 6,637.42 +32.53 +0.49%

CAC 40 4,390.03 +45.91 +1.06%

DAX 9,461.58 +123.18 +1.32%