Global Markets Rise

Markets across Asia posted solid gains overnight, with increases of more than 1% commonplace and only scattered areas of weakness.

In China, the Shanghai and Shenzhen 300 Index rose 1.5%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 1.4%. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 was ahead by 1.9%.

One of the best performers was India's BSE Sensex, which jumped 3.7%. South Korea's Kospi was up 0.9%, and Singapore's Straits Times Index added 2.1%.

Europe was also on the ascent, with London's FTSE 100 better by 0.9% and Frankfurt's Xetra DAX up 0.8%. The Cac 40 in Paris rose 0.9%.

Milan's MIB 30 climbed 0.8%, and the Swiss Market Index was up 0.6%.