European stock markets were higher in midday trading Monday.

London's Financial Times 100 index was up nearly one percent to 5,518. The CAC-40 in Paris gained six-tenths of a percent to 3,238. And the DAX in Frankfurt rose nine-tenths of a percent to 6,021.

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

In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei index rose 1.5 percent to close at 8,880.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped 2 percent to end at 18,874.

Gold was trading at $1,687.45 an ounce.

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