European stocks extend gains to four-week highs, buoyed by banking and financial sectors

European stocks rose in European trade for the fifth straight session, marking four-week highs due to strong gains by the banking and financial sectors.

Investors continue to monitor the Ukrainian crisis closely, especially as peace talks with Russia fail to reach a compromise so far.

Dow Jones Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.4%, marking February 23 highs, while Stoxx Europe rose for the fifth straight session, marking four-week highs.

The gains are led by the banking sector, which rose 1.5% amid strong prospects for gains for this sector.

Ukraine refused to surrender the coastal city Mariupol yesterday after Russian warnings, furthering the conflict and concerns about the crisis.

In Europe, the euro stoxx 50 rose 0.5%, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.6%, as Germany's DAX gained 0.7%, while London's Financial Times 100 rose 0.4%.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.1%, after closing down 0.1% yesterday on profit-taking away from month highs.