European stock prices are higher in midday trading Wednesday.

London's Financial Times index is up more than two and one-quarter percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is three and one-quarter percent higher, and trading on the DAX index in Frankfurt is up nearly three and three-quarters percent.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is up six points, indicating a higher opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index fell nearly one percent to finish at 8,383. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was closed.

Gold is trading at $1,615.05 an ounce.

The dollar is mixed in trading against other major currencies.