European stocks extended gains amid optimism that Greece has made progress on a debt deal with its creditors. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 1.1 percent to 407.86 at 3:33 p.m. in London. Equities jumped after an official with knowledge of the matter said Greece and its creditors have started drafting a staff level accord to solve its debt crisis. The ASE Index headed for its biggest gain in a month. “Everyone was scared Greece was close to leaving the euro zone,” said John Plassard, vice president at Mirabaud Securities LLP in Geneva. “We had bad news on Greece today and people now got excited by this, so just some ... (full story)