European stock prices are higher in midday trading Thursday.

London's Financial Times index is up 2.1 percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is up 2.3 percent, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is two percent higher.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is up 12 points, indicating a higher opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained 1.7 percent to finish at 8,522.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 5.7 percent to finish the day's trading at 17,172.

Gold is trading at $1,651.50 an ounce.

The dollar is lower against other major currencies.