European stocks up on govt moves

European stocks rose, sending the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index to its fourth straight gain, as investors speculated government efforts to shore up banks and the economy will support profits.

Barclays Plc, Siemens AG and Daimler AG rallied more than 3 percent. Air Berlin Plc climbed 22 percent after posting a 43 percent jump in third-quarter profit.

The Stoxx 600 added 2 percent to 202.78 at 11:45 am in London, extending this week's advance to 11 percent. The index is still down 44 percent in 2008, headed for its worst year since records began in 1987, as economies from Germany and the UK to the US slip into recession.