On Wednesday European stocks advanced amid speculation the economy is strong enough to overcome Japan’s nuclear crisis. Asian shares and U.S. index futures climbed.

BHP Billiton Ltd. led mining companies higher as 18 of the 19 industry groups in the Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained. Sonova Holding AG tumbled 7.5 percent as its chief executive officer and finance head resigned after an investigation into possible insider trading at the Swiss hearing-aid maker. Dixons Retail Plc sank 18 percent after the U.K.’s largest consumer- electronics retailer said earnings will miss most estimates.

European shares hit a three-week high, with investors positioned for positive U.S. ADP National Employment data, while miners gained on hopes the global economy is recovering.

The mining sector featured among the best performers, with the STOXX Europe 600 Basic Resources gaining 1.8 percent. Vedanta rose 3.8 percent as traders cited a bullish Morgan Stanley note.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares was up 0.7 percent.

Technicals showed an upward trend. The French CAC 40 traded above its 50-day moving average for the first time since the 9th March and Britain's FTSE 100 was above its for the first time since 8th March.

However, in the background, euro zone peripheral debt issues remained, with investors also anticipating the results of Ireland banking sector stress tests, which are expected to show the extent of the banks capital needs.

Bancassurer Irish Life & Permanent suspended trading of its shares in London and Dublin after media reports the bank stress tests might force it into state control. Bank of Ireland fell 2 percent, however the overall STOXX Europe 600 Banks gained 0.4 percent.

Japanese stocks rose, sending the Nikkei 225 Stock Average to its highest close since March 11, as companies resumed production halted by an earthquake and tsunami and as a weaker yen boosted the outlook for export earnings. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 2.6 percent while the broader Topix index gained 1.9 percent.