European stock markets were higher in midday trading Friday.

London's Financial Times 100 index was up 1.08 percent , to 5,462. The CAC-40 in Paris was up 1.09 percent , to 3,222. And the DAX in Frankfurt was up nine-tenths of a percent , at 5,967.

The S&P futures contract was up 11 points, indicating a higher opening for U.S. markets.

In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei index lost nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,747.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 1.36 percent , to end at 18,502.

Gold was trading at $1,674.38 an ounce.

The U.S. dollar was up against other major currencies.