European stocks leapt Wednesday, pushed to their highest in more than a year by optimism over fresh records in the U.S. markets and a rally in bank shares. The Stoxx Europe 600 index SXXP, +1.29% climbed 1.3% to end at 366.59, its highest close since December 2015. The jump also marked the strongest one-day percentage gain since Nov. 9 last year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday both crossed and closed above the 20,000 level for the first time, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also cruised to records after upbeat earnings releases from heavyweights such as Boeing Co. and optimism over the economy.

Asian stock markets were broadly higher early Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 20,000 points for the first time ever. The post-election equities rally in the U.S. has been spurred by hopes of fiscal spending, tax cuts and regulation rollback under the administration of President Donald Trump.