By Adria Cimino Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- European and U.S. stock-index futures rose and Asian shares gained after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum pledged to maintain stimulus spending and Japan’s economy expanded more than forecast. BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, rallied 2.8 percent in Australia as commodities advanced. ThyssenKrupp AG, Germany’s largest steelmaker, may rise after JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its recommendation on the stock. Bayer AG, Novartis AG and Sanofi-Aventis SA may climb after Deutsche Bank AG advised investors to buy the shares. Futures on the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 Index, a benchmark for the euro region, added 1.1 percent at 7:23 a.m. in London. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index may increase 30, according to Cantor Index, a betting firm. “A strong start to the day across Asia supported by metals prices looks set to pace gains” in Europe, Ben Potter, research analyst at IG Markets in Melbourne, wrote in a note. European and U.S. stocks have risen for two straight weeks after the Group of 20 nations agreed to maintain stimulus efforts and earnings at companies from Credit Agricole SA to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. beat analysts’ estimates. Europe’s Stoxx 600 has surged 57 percent since March 9 amid signs government spending and record-low interest rates are helping to drag the economy out of recession. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures added 0.8 percent today before a report forecast to show U.S. retail sales rebounded in October. Asian Shares The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 0.7 percent after APEC leaders said over the weekend they will keep stimulus measures until there is “durable” growth. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.2 percent as the Cabinet Office said the world’s second-biggest economy grew at an annual 4.8 percent rate in the third quarter. Economists had estimated a 2.9 percent gain. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan’s largest bank by market value, tumbled 5.5 percent to 480 yen after the Nikkei newspaper said the company will sell 1 trillion yen ($11.2 billion) in shares. BHP surged 2.8 percent to A$40.10 in Sydney. Gold climbed to a record, while zinc advanced to its highest level in more than 17 months in Shanghai. Crude oil rose from a one-month low on speculation demand will increase as the global economy recovers from its worst recession since World War II. ThyssenKrupp ThyssenKrupp was raised to “overweight” from “neutral” at JPMorgan, which said the steelmaker’s restructuring efforts in combination with an estimated recovery in the steel market next year represent “a compelling investment.” Bayer, Germany’s largest drugmaker, Novartis and Sanofi- Aventis were rated “buy” in new coverage at Deutsche Bank, which said each “has the potential for material forecast upgrades.” The brokerage rated the European pharmaceutical industry “neutral.” European Aeronautic, Defence & Space & Co. may be active. The owner of planemaker Airbus SAS said third-quarter earnings before interest and tax slumped 77 percent to 201 million euros ($301 million) as a decline in the value of the dollar and higher research costs outweighed sustained aircraft deliveries. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had predicted profit of 281 million euros. Retail sales in the U.S. probably rebounded in October, easing concern households will curtail spending once government incentives fade, economists said before a report today. Purchases rose 0.9 percent, according to the median estimate of 66 economists in a Bloomberg News survey, after falling in September after the expiration of the “cash for clunkers” automobile rebate program. Excluding autos, sales probably rose 0.4 percent, the third straight increase. To contact the reporter on this story: Adria Cimino in Paris at acimino1@bloomberg.net.

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