European stocks were little changed, erasing earlier gains, as a rally in food and beverage makers offset a decline in mining stocks.

The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for global growth this year as expansions in the U.S. and the U.K. accelerate. The economy will grow 3.7 percent, compared with an October estimate of 3.6 percent, the IMF said.

German data showed investor confidence slipped in January after gaining for five straight months. The ZEW Center for European Economic Research said its index of investor and analyst expectations, which aims to predict economic developments six months in advance, fell to 61.7 from 62 in December. That missed the median economist estimate for an increase to 64.

National benchmark indexes fell in 10 of the 18 western-European markets. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 dropped less than 0.1 percent. France’s CAC 40 Index increased less than 0.1 percent, and Germany’s DAX rose 0.2 percent.

Unilever gained 2.3 percent to 29.49 euros in Amsterdam after saying fourth-quarter sales excluding acquisitions and currency fluctuations rose 4.1 percent, beating the median analyst estimate that called for a 3.9 percent increase.

A gauge of food and drink stocks in the Stoxx 600 rose 1.2 percent to its highest level since May. Danone, the world’s largest yogurt maker, added 2.1 percent to 52.11 euros. Pernod Ricard SA advanced 3.7 percent to 84.25 euros.

Wirecard AG jumped 5.2 percent to 32.12 euros, the highest price since its October 2000 initial public offering. The provider of software for electronic payments said sales increased to 482.2 million euros ($652.6 million) last year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 15 percent to 126 million euros. The company predicted “strong growth in all core markets” for 2014.

Henkel AG increased 2 percent to 85.35 euros, its highest price since at least August 1992. The German maker of Schwarzkopf hair products and Loctite glue said it will increase its dividend payout to as much as 35 percent of net income. The company had previously paid out about 25 percent.

Rio Tinto fell 3.1 percent to 3,231.5 pence and BHP slid 1.7 percent to 1,854.5 pence. A gauge of Stoxx 600 mining stocks fell the most among 19 industry groups today.

U.S. stock-index futures advanced, as equity markets reopen following a holiday and investors weigh earnings reports from companies including Verizon Communications Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,795.96 +154.28 +0.99%

Hang Seng 23,033.12 +104.17 +0.45%

Shanghai Composite 2,008.31 +17.06 +0.86%

FTSE 6,861.78 +25.05 +0.37%

CAC 4,350.26 +27.40 +0.63%

DAX 9,793.19 +77.29 +0.80%

Crude oil $95.07 (+1.18%)

Gold $1238.20 (-1.09%).

European stocks advanced to the highest level in six years, with Unilever leading food and beverage makers higher. U.S. index futures climbed, while Asian shares were little changed.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.3 percent to 336.56 at 11 a.m. in London, its highest level since January 2008.

German data showed investor confidence slipped in January after gaining for five straight months. The ZEW Center for European Economic Research said its index of investor and analyst expectations, which aims to predict economic developments six months in advance, fell to 61.7 from 62 in December. That missed the median economist estimate for an increase to 64.

Unilever (UNA) gained 3.5 percent to 29.85 euros in Amsterdam after saying fourth-quarter sales excluding acquisitions and currency fluctuations rose 4.1 percent, beating the median analyst estimate that called for a 3.9 percent increase.

A gauge of food and drink stocks in the Stoxx 600 rose to its highest level since May, posting the biggest gain among 19 industry groups. Danone, the world’s largest yogurt maker, added 2.1 percent to 52.15 euros. Pernod Ricard SA added 2 percent to 82.94 euros.

Wirecard jumped 5.2 percent to 32.14 euros, the highest price since its October 2000 initial public offering. The provider of software for electronic payments said sales increased to 482.2 million euros ($652.6 million) last year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 15 percent to 126 million euros. The company predicted “strong growth in all core markets” for 2014.

SAP fell 1.1 percent to 59.97 euros. The company said operating profit adjusted for some items will probably reach 35 percent of sales by 2017, later than the previous target of 2015. Analysts (SAB) had predicted SAP would miss the 2015 profitability target.

FTSE 100 6,851.7 +14.97 +0.22%

CAC 40 4,340.3 +17.44 +0.40%

DAX 9,758.32 +42.42 +0.44%

Asian stocks rose as the Bank of Japan started a two-day policy meeting and China’s money-market rates dropped after the central bank pumped funds into the financial system.

Nikkei 225 15,795.96 +154.28 +0.99%

S&P/ASX 200 5,331.46 +36.42 +0.69%

Shanghai Composite 2,008.31 +17.06 +0.86%

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., the nation’s biggest lender, climbed 2.5 percent in Hong Kong.

LG Display Co., a supplier of panels for Apple Inc. devices, rose 2.3 percent in Seoul after Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch raised its rating on the stock.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., Australia’s third-largest iron-ore miner, sank 4.6 percent in Sydney after a benchmark for the metal’s price fell in China, the biggest consumer of the commodity.

Nikkei 225 15,641.68 -92.78 -0.59%

S&P/ASX 200 5,295.05 -10.82 -0.20%

Shanghai Composite 1,991.25 -13.70 -0.68%

FTSE 100 6,834.71 +5.41 +0.08%

CAC 40 4,319.48 -8.02 -0.19%

DAX 9,709.49 -33.47 -0.34%

Dow Closed

Nasdaq Closed

S&P Closed