EUROPEAN shares gained on Friday

European stocks advanced, paring their monthly loss, as data show euro-area economic confidence rose in March.

Basic resources stocks received a boost from plans by China to boost investment.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.4% to 332.65. The benchmark gauge has dropped 1.6% so far in March amid tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine’s Crimea region. The measure has still gained 1.5% this week.

A report show a gauge of economic confidence in the euro zone rose to 102.4 in March, from 101.2 a month earlier. Separate data may show the region’s industrial confidence fell to minus 3.5 this month from minus 3.4 in February, economists predicted.

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA gained 1.9% as it forecast dividend payouts of about 10 billion euros ($13.7 billion) in total for the period 2014 through 2017. 

Deutsche Wohnen AG rose 0.7% after posting a 68% increase in annual profit. 

Pirelli & C. SpA increased 2.6% after reporting 2013 earnings that surpassed analysts’ predictions.

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