European stocks rose and Asian shares headed for their biggest five-day gain this year on expectations that central banks in Europe and China will ease monetary policy to spur economic growth. Commodities climbed to a one-month high as oil and corn advanced. The Stoxx Europe 600 (SXXP) Index added 0.2 percent as of 8:05 a.m. in London, while Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures fell 0.1 percent. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) gained 0.8 percent. The S&P GSCI Index of commodities rose 0.6 percent. The won and the Australian dollar traded near their highest levels in two months against the U.S. dollar. Credit-default swaps for Asia ex-Japan gained for the first time in six days. Barclays Plc fell as much as 4.4 percent in London as Robert Diamond stepped down as the chief executive officer. The European Central Bank is forecast by economists to cut interest rates this week to help curb the debt crisis, while a state-owned newspaper in China said the time is ripe for a reduction in banks’ reserve-requirement ratios. Declining employment figures in the U.S. this week may prompt the Federal Reserve to initiate fresh stimulus, BNP Paribas SA said. A report today may show factory orders in the world’s biggest economy stagnating. “Disappointing economic readings are spurring expectations for more stimulus measures,� said Chung Yun Sik, the Seoul- based chief investment officer for equities at ING Investment Management Korea Ltd., which oversees about $17 billion. “Investors’ focus, at least for now, appears to have shifted away from Europe’s debt woes.� To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Chua Baizhen in Beijing at bchua14@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Gentle at ngentle2@bloomberg.net

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