European stocks rose, sending the Stoxx Europe 600 Index to its highest level since May 2008, as German unemployment fell the most in two years and Ireland returned to the bond market after completing a bailout program.

Unemployment in Germany declined the most since December 2011, data showed today. The number of people out of work in Europe’s largest economy decreased by a seasonally-adjusted 15,000, after increasing a revised 9,000 in November, the Nuremberg-based Federal Labor Agency said. Economists in a Bloomberg News survey predicted a drop of 1,000. The adjusted jobless rate remained unchanged at 6.9 percent.

National equity benchmarks rose in 16 of the 18 western European markets. Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.8 percent, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 added 0.4 percent.

Maersk increased 3.5 percent to 62,300 kroner. The owner of the world’s largest container-shipping line said it will sell a 48.68 percent stake in Dansk Supermarked A/S and 18.72 percent of F. Salling A/S to partners F. Salling Invest A/S and F. Salling Holding A/S. Maersk (MAERSKB) said it will book a gain of 14 billion kroner ($2.56 billion) from proceeds of as much as 17 billion kroner.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S climbed 6.1 percent to 197.40 kroner, the highest price since April 2011 for the world’s biggest wind-turbine maker. The stock rose for a 10th day, its longest rally in eight months. Vestas gained 5.5 percent yesterday as it upgraded its estimate for 2013 free cash flow.

Swedish Match fell 5.5 percent to 196.60 kronor. Citigroup Inc. downgraded the shares to sell from neutral, citing competitive pressures in 2014. The brokerage reduced its price forecast for the shares to 193 kronor from 225 kronor.

Hugo Boss slid 2.3 percent to 100 euros. Societe Generale SA downgraded the the luxury-clothing maker controlled by buyout firm Permira Advisers LLP. to hold from buy.

U.S. stock-index futures rose, as investors awaited this week’s earnings reports and jobs data to gauge the pace of the recovery in the world’s largest economy.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,814.37 -94.51 -0.59%

Hang Seng 22,712.78 +28.63 +0.13%

Shanghai Composite 2,047.32 +1.61 +0.08%

FTSE 6,754.37 +23.64 +0.35%

CAC 4,243.28 +15.74 +0.37%

DAX 9,479.89 +51.89 +0.55%

Crude oil $93.62 (+0.20%)

Gold $1234.30 (-0.30%).

European indices added the most in three weeks as data from Eurostat on Eurozone's Consumer Price Inflation showed a negative reading for the first time since October 2009 when it was -0.1%. Consumer prices fell more-than-expected to -0.2%. Analyst forecasted a flat reading of 0.0% in December after +0.2% in November. Disinflation adds pressure on the ECB to start quantitative easing measures rather sooner than later as the ECB wants to keep inflation below but close to 2 percent over the medium term.

The Unemployment Rate in Germany fell to 6.5%, a record low, beating forecast of 6.6%. Last month's reading was 6.6%. Eurozone's Unemployment Rate stayed at 11.5% in line with estimates.

The minutes from December's Federal Reserve policy meeting are due later in the day at 19:00 GMT. The minutes may give further indication on the FED's 'patient' approach on rising benchmark interest rates for the first time since 2006.

In today's session the FTSE 100 index added +0.86% quoted at 6,421.14. France's CAC 40 gained +1.14% trading at 4,130.20. Germany's DAX 30 is currently trading +1.01% at 9,565.64 points.

European stocks rose as German unemployment fell the most in two years and investors weighed China’s tighter rules to control its shadow-banking industry. U.S. futures also gained, while Asian shares slid.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.2 percent. The benchmark measure has climbed 5.8 percent from its Dec. 13 low. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures increased 0.2 percent today, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.4 percent.

Unemployment in Germany declined the most since December 2011, data showed today. The number of people out of work in Europe’s largest economy decreased by a seasonally-adjusted 15,000 to 2.965 million, after increasing a revised 9,000 in November, the Nuremberg-based Federal Labor Agency said. Economists predicted a drop of 1,000. The adjusted jobless rate remained unchanged at 6.9 percent.

China imposed new controls on the multi-trillion-dollar shadow-banking industry, three people familiar with the matter said. The rules include a ban on transactions designed to avoid regulations, such as moving interbank loans off balance sheets to reduce reported levels of lending, said the people. Such operations are part of shadow finance, a term that describes lending outside the banking system.

Vestas Wind Systems climbed 5.4 percent to 196.20 kroner, the highest price since April 2011 for the world’s biggest wind-turbine maker. The stock rose for a 10th day, its longest rally in eight months. Vestas rose 5.5 percent yesterday as it upgraded its estimate for 2013 free cash flow.

Swedish Match fell 4.8 percent to 198 kronor. Citigroup downgraded the shares to sell from neutral, saying competitive pressures will continue in 2014. The brokerage reduced its price forecast for the shares to 193 kronor from 225 kronor.

Hugo Boss AG declined 2.4 percent after Societe Generale SA downgraded the luxury-clothing maker controlled by buyout firm Permira Advisers LLP.

FTSE 100 6,755.31 +24.58 +0.37%

CAC 40 4,240.23 +12.69 +0.30%

DAX 9,477.87 +49.87 +0.53%

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index poised to drop for a fourth day, as a report showed U.S. service industries expanded less than expected and raw-material shares led declines.

Nikkei 225 15,814.37 -94.51 -0.59%

S&P/ASX 200 5,316.99 -7.89 -0.15%

Shanghai Composite 2,044.44 -1.27 -0.06%

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co., an oil processor, slumped 5.9 percent, leading material shares lower.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Southeast Asia’s second-biggest lender, fell 0.8 percent in Singapore amid concern it may pay too much to take over Hong Kong’s Wing Hang Bank Ltd.

Li & Fung Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of clothes and toys to retailers, gained 8.5 percent in Hong Kong as the company called its 2013 performance “solid.”

Nikkei 225 15,908.88 -382,43 -2,35%

S&P/ASX 200 5,324.88 -25,22 -0,47%

Shanghai Composite 2,045.71 -37,43 -1,80%

FTSE 100 6,730.73 +0.06 0.00%

CAC 40 4,227.54 -20.11 -0.47%

DAX 9,428 -7.15 -0.08%

Dow 16,425.10 -44.89 -0.27%

Nasdaq 4,113.68 -18.23 -0.44%

S&P 500 1,826.77 -4.60 -0.25%