European stock markets advanced Wednesday, as a rally in oil prices boosted energy companies and upbeat Chinese data calmed nerves about growth in the world's second-largest economy.

U.S. stocks closed with solid gains Wednesday, boosted by soaring oil prices, while minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting signaled reluctance to raise rates as early as this month.

Asian stocks outside Japan climbed after Federal Reserve meeting minutes reaffirmed U.S. policy makers aren't rushing to raise interest rates and the yen advanced to a 17-month high as Japanese officials' expressions of concern failed to halt gains.

Based on MarketWatch materials