European stocks gained on Friday and were set for a fifth straight monthly advance ahead of key speeches by central bankers at the Jackson Hole economic symposium. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 0.6% at 8:17 a.m. in London, on track to finish August 1% higher.

Auto stocks outperformed, with BMW AG and Forvia SE up more than 1% after being added to Citigroup Inc.'s positive catalyst watch list.