European Stocks Rise Amid Robust Earnings from Marks & Spencer, ING

European indices were back in positive territory Wednesday with robust earnings from companies including U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer plc and Dutch lender ING Groep NV driving the momentum. M&S soared after posting a greater than expected rise in first-half profit. It’s also predicting gross margins in its general merchandise to widen by 1.5 to 2 percentage points, compared to a previous forecast of 1 percentage point. In Amsterdam, ING rose after reporting that third-quarter net profit increased more than sixfold and announcing plans to make its final repayment of state aid this week, closing the chapter on a 2008 bailout. Among financials, Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi climbed in Milan on reports that it’s close to securing underwriters for a planned capital increase, while French investment bank and asset manager Natixis SA rose in Paris on a 10% jump in third-quarter profit.