Asian Stocks End Higher; Europe Gains

By Jeremiah Marquez

HONG KONG - Stocks in Asia ended higher and European shares were gaining Friday, following a recovery Thursday on Wall Street after strong profits at a handful of U.S companies buttressed optimism about the world's largest economy.

In Asia, select energy stocks benefited as crude oil prices traded near $71 a barrel. The dollar was modestly higher against the yen.

Investors were encouraged after U.S. markets snapped a four-day losing streak with the help of better-than-expected earnings from homebuilder Lennar(LEN Quote) and home furnishings chains Bed Bath & Beyond(BBBY Quote). ...