European stocks and the euro strengthened as Spain sold almost double the amount planned and Italy’s borrowing costs fell at debt sales today. Copper climbed after Chinese inflation cooled, and oil gained on concern sanctions against Iran will cut supply. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.7 percent at 6:30 a.m. in New York. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures added 0.4 percent. The euro appreciated 0.3 percent to $1.2746. The Spanish two-year note yield dropped to less than 3 percent for the first time since April 2011, with the extra yield investors demand to hold Italian 10-year bonds instead of benchmark ... (full story)