European stocks rise with eyes on Italy

 LONDON: European stocks markets advanced Monday, building on a recent recovery, while investors were increasingly warming to eurozone trouble spot Italy.
In foreign exchange trading, the British pound struck the highest point against the dollar for more than four years.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 stocks index gained 1.16 per cent to 6,741.18 points in afternoon deals.
Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 0.12 per cent to 9,673.93 points and in Paris the CAC 40 was virtually unchanged at 4,339.85.
On currency markets, the pound stood at $1.6823, down from $1.6822 in Asian trading hours, which was the highest level since November 2009. It later stood at $1.6728.
The euro though gained to 81.90 pence from 81.76 pence on Friday.
The single currency firmed to $1.3699 from $1.3695.
The price of gold was higher at $1,326 an ounce compared with $1,320 late in New York on Friday. Earlier Monday on the London Bullion Market, the precious metal reached a near four-month high at $1,330.02 an ounce.
Meanwhile: Asian stock markets rose Monday following robust pre-weekend gains on Wall Street, despite disappointing Japanese growth figures which dampened hopes for a strong recovery.
Global markets rallied last week following a turbulent period, as investors were reassured that the US economy could handle the decision by the Federal Reserve to reduce its stimulus programme.