French stocks on the up

FRENCH stocks climbed for a fifth day, paced by Assurances Generales de France SA. ING Groep NV recommended buying shares of the insurer.

The CAC 40 Index rose 10.77, or 0.2%, to 5127.93 in Paris, reaching its highest since July 2001. This is the first time the index has gained for five straight days since the period ending May 6. The SBF 120 Index added 0.3%.