U.S. stocks gain on bank earnings; dollar, yields rise

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK (Reuters) - European and U.S. stocks advanced on Friday, on track to close the week on a firmer note, while the dollar recovered 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 suggested stronger growth. Bank of America Merrill Lynch kicked off the U.S. bank earning season, reporting a 47 percent rise in fourth-quarter