European equities advance to highest since May 2008

European shares swung between gains and losses on Monday with the benchmark stock index Europe 600 jumping towards the strongest level in more than five-and-half year. The Stoxx 600 gauge slid 0.1% to 327.49 as of 8:11 a.m. London time and it has advanced 0.7% in December, while last week the index gained 2% after the IMF signalled it may raise growth outlook of the U.S.