On Friday European stocks gained before a report that may show US payrolls increased last month, adding to signs that the economy is improving. Asian stocks and US index futures rose.

Hermes International SCA increased 1.4% after the maker of leather handbags and silk scarves said its operating- profit margin rose more than it previously forecast. SBM Offshore NV, the world’s biggest producer of floating oil rigs, jumped 5.4% after earnings beat analysts’ estimates. Areva surged 5% after the company said it doesn’t need to raise extra funds.

The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.5% in London. The measure is heading for a 0.3% gain this week as better-than-estimated corporate earnings and signs that the global economy is strengthening offset concern that revolts in North Africa will spread to the Arabian peninsula.

Oil headed for a third weekly increase in New York, as armed groups of rebels held on to key towns in the east of Libya, thwarting attacks by forces loyal to the country’s ruler Muammar Qaddafi.

Automobile shares were among the top gainers, with a sector index rising 1.5% on hopes of improving demand. Daimler rose 1.7%.

Asian stocks rose for the fourth day this week after fewer Americans filed unemployment claims, boosting confidence in the world’s largest economy and easing concern about oil prices and Middle East unrest.

Japanese stocks rose for a second day. Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest carmaker, jumped 1.2% as the yen weakened, boosting the outlook for overseas earnings. Canon Inc., a camera maker that gets about 80% of its sales abroad, climbed 1.8%. The Nikkei rose 1% while the Topix index climbed 0.7%.