European Stocks Gain as U.S. Jobs Report Beats Forecasts

European stocks advanced to a six-year high after a report showed the U.S. economy created more jobs last month than forecast.

Commerzbank AG climbed 4.1 percent after the lender’s chief executive officer predicted that the European Central Bank would find no problems during an audit. Italian and Irish banks dragged the Stoxx Europe 600 Index higher as yields on the two countries’ bonds fell to the lowest level since the introduction of the euro. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA retreated 2 percent after saying it will offer new shares to investors at a 35.5 percent discount in an attempt to rebuild capital.