European stock prices are higher in midday trading Wednesday.

London's Financial Times index is 1.3 percent higher. The CAC-40 in Paris is up 1.2 percent, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is up 1.4 percent.

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

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly four-tenths of one percent to finish at 8,773.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.3 percent to finish the day's trading at 18,309.

Gold is trading at $1,648.62 an ounce.

The dollar is mixed against other major currencies.