U.S. economy hopes lift European stocks

LONDON (Reuters) - A better outlook for the U.S. economy boosted European stocks and supported the euro on Friday, but any gains in the holiday-thinned markets are likely to prove short-lived with concerns about the euro zone debt crisis undiminished. U.S. stock index future pointed to Wall Street edging higher and extending a rally into a fourth session, as a report that the Federal Reserve could hold rates down for longer than previously expected fuelled the upturn in sentiment. But euro zone fears kept a lid on any optimism. ...