Mario Draghi factor a boost for European stocks

European stocks posted their biggest two-day gain since October 2011 on increased investor confidence that central banks will act to support markets.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 3% to 338.36 at the close of trading, taking its two-day climb to 5%.

It added 2.6% this week — its biggest such gain since November — after rising the most in a month on Thursday following European Central Bank president Mario Draghi’s signal of an increase in stimulus as early as March.