(Reuters) - European shares resumed their rally on Friday as a bumper stimulus from the European Central Bank fuelled hopes of a faster economic recovery, putting the main benchmarks on course for their best week in two months.
The pan-European STOXX 600 (STOXX) gained 1.2% by 0722 GMT, led by a 3% jump in bank stocks (SX7P). Insurers (SXIP), automakers (SXAP) and travel stocks (SXTP) also rose more than 2%.
Global equity markets have climbed strongly this week, with Wall Street indexes nearing record levels as investors focussed on re-opening of economies.
The STOXX 600 is about 15% below all-time highs, but has recovered more than 37% from March lows as fresh stimulus plans for Europe spurred a move into economically sensitive cyclical sectors.
British Airways owner-IAG (L:ICAG) and easyJet (L:EZJ) jumped nearly 9%, topping gains on the STOXX 600.