European stocks rise as Credit Agricole gains

London - European stocks climbed for the third time in four days as investors assessed better-than-estimated earnings from companies including Credit Agricole SA and Schneider Electric SE.

Credit Agricole SA gained 4.9% after also saying it will sell back stakes in regional banks to shore up capital. Schneider Electric SE added 4.9 after saying it will buy back €1.5bn in shares. Total SA dropped 2.6%, leading energy shares lower, after a shareholder sold a stake.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.6% at 10:21. The benchmark is rising after yesterday snapping its biggest two-day advance since 2011 amid declines in lenders and miners.

Volatility has been on the risesince the start of the year amid a deepening oil rout, concern over global-growth prospects and dissipating faith in central-bank support.

Among other stocks active on corporate news, Glencore rose 3.5% after the Swiss commodities trader and miner said it signed new loan commitments. Marine Harvest ASA added 1.7% after its net income beat estimates.

ABN Amro Group NV slipped 4.3% after its quarterly profit missed analysts’ projections as regulatory costs rose. Societe BIC SA tumbled 15%after saying its chief executive officer will retire and its chairperson will take on his role.