European Stocks Rise on U.S. Economy; Randgold, Rio Tinto Gain

European stocks rose, snapping the biggest three-day drop in almost two months, as U.S. companies hired more workers than forecast and Federal Reserve policy makers raised their assessment of the economy in a statement at the close of trading.

Randgold Resources Ltd. surged to a record after forecasting a 22 percent increase in gold output next year. Rio Tinto Group surged 3.8 percent, leading a rally in commodity companies. Lloyds Banking Group Plc slid 4.4 percent as Chief Executive Officer Antonio Horta-Osorio took a leave of absence following medical advice.