European stocks stepped higher Friday, as bank shares rose and mining stocks got a lift from upbeat inflation news out of China. Economic data out of China on Friday were more upbeat. Consumer price inflation rose more strongly than expected to 1.9%, while producer prices edged up 0.1% in September. That marks the first time the factory-price gauge has been positive in more than four years.

U.S. stocks on Friday finished barely higher as an early rise, buoyed by gains in bank shares, faded into the close. The three main equity benchmarks finished the week with a second-straight weekly loss. Comments from Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen midday Friday, where she suggested the fed could overshoot its 2% inflation target, and a strengthening dollar DXY, -0.05% up 0.6%, helped to limit gains for U.S. equities.

Asian shares were broadly lower Monday morning, with the Nikkei giving up early gains, driven by a sharp decline in electric utilities stocks after a nuclear-power skeptic's weekend win in a Japanese gubernatorial race.