European markets finished higher. A number of buyouts in the tobacco and media sectors, along with recent gains in the U.S., bolstered the markets. In London, the FTSE 100 index finished up 36.60 points, or 0.70%, at 5,282.10 amid expected strength in the U.S. market. In Germany, the DAX index edged up 4.17 points, or 0.08%, to 5,289.43. In France, the CAC 40 index gained 28.36 points, or 0.62%, to 4,616.50.

Asian stocks ended higher. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index soared 289.81 points, or 2.55%, to 11,648.34. Better-than-expected results of Japan's leading indicator index and growing hopes of a U.S. economic recovery drove stock gains. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index added 185.07 points, or 1.68%, to 11,188.07.

Canada's benchmark TSE 300 index gained 13.85 points, or 0.17%, to 7958.10.