European stocks closed sharply higher on Tuesday, extending gains to a third straight session, with investors focusing on earnings updates and looking ahead to the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement, due later in the week. Stocks turned in a somewhat sluggish performance earlier in

Receding fears of aggressive policy turns from the Fed and BoE saw shorts scramble to cover with yields plunging as the markets repriced policy outlooks. Although the FOMC announced tapering and the BoE warned of rate hikes down the road, the more patient stance taken by both banks wrongfooted bond