On Friday European stocks gained, sending the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index higher for a third straight day, as investors speculated that the Federal Reserve will maintain its stimulus and BP Plc rose in London trading. U.S. index futures rose and Asian shares were little changed.

BP advanced after the oil company reached a settlement with a unit of Mitsui & Co., one of its partners on the Macondo well. Micro Focus International Plc rallied 7.1 percent after a report that Advent International Corp. may buy the U.K. software producer. Mitchells & Butlers Plc, the U.K. owner of Harvester and Toby Carvery pubs and restaurants, sank 4.9 percent after posting reduced fiscal first-half profit.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up, on track for a third day of gains, after rising 0.7 percent in the previous session.

U.K. stocks climbed, with the benchmark FTSE 100 Index heading for its first weekly gain in three, as investors speculated that the U.S. Federal Reserve will maintain its stimulus program.

Wall Street edged higher, with social network company LinkedIn soaring on its debut, while London-listed commodities trader Glencore finished flat on its first day, with a market capitalisation of more than 6 billion pounds.

Most Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index set for a third straight weekly drop, as raw material producers declined on lower metal and oil prices. Utilities tumbled as Tokyo Electric Power Co. reported Japan’s biggest corporate loss in eight years. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed 0.1 percent lower. The Bank of Japan’s policy board unanimously voted to maintain monetary policy even after a report yesterday showed the country slipped into a recession following a record earthquake in March.