European stocks hit day’s high on Fed move

European stocks hit a day's high on Tuesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a $600 billion programme to buy mortgage-related debt and securities and a $200 billion facility to support consumer debt securities.

At 1339 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 2.2 percent at its day's high of 846.88 points.

U.S. stock index futures rose 0.9-2.5 percent.

Banks and oil stocks added most points to the European benchmark, with BP up 5.1 percent as the top-weighted gainer.

Miner BHP Billiton soared 17 percent after dropping its bid for Rio Tinto.