RTRS: Europe stocks up 2 percent; banks, commods gain
European shares rose by midday on Thursday as banks, miners and oils rallied on hopes that a global economic downturn would be shortened by the Federal Reserve's plans for large scale purchases of government bonds.
At 1154 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares was up 2 percent at 725.16 points, with financials adding most points to the index, while oils and miners tracked sharp rises in crude and metals.
