European stocks, S&P 500, Nasdaq gain; U.S. yields up

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) - European stocks advanced on Friday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose in line with gains in U.S. Treasury yields, as investors were encouraged by upbeat bank earnings and positive U.S. economic data. Investors largely shrugged off the biggest fall in Chinese exports since 2009 to focus on U.S. data that overall suggested stronger growth. U.S. economic data have also boosted the market, as retail sales rose in December given strong demand for a