European stocks were boosted by the surprise increase in the U.S. manufacturing activity, as well as upbeat comments by EU Commissioner Olli Rehn. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 1.4% to close at 272.33; French CAC 40 Index added 2.4% to 3,434.98, while German DAX 30 Index closed 1.5% higher at 7,326.73.