European stock markets were higher in midday trading Friday.

London’s Financial Times 100 index was up four-tenths of a percent , to 5,968. The CAC-40 in Paris was up slightly , to 3,986. And the DAX in Frankfurt was also up slightly , at 7,388.

The S&P futures contract was up one point, indicating a flat opening for U.S. markets.

In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained half a percent , to close at 9,868.

Hong Kong markets were closed for a holiday .

Gold was trading at $1,491.56 an ounce.

The U.S. dollar rose against other major currencies.