Equities get festive boost across globe

Improved economic prospects propel Stoxx 600 to 14-month high

LONDON: Stocks rose around the world, driving Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index to a 14-month high, on evidence that the global economy is recovering from its recession. Oil and copper advanced.

The MSCI World Index of developed-nation shares climbed 0.3 percent at 9:41 am in London. Futures on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 0.3 percent and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 0.5 percent. Oil gained 0.6 percent in New York, while the dollar traded near a three-month high against the euro.