European stocks moved broadly higher on Wednesday, with retailers among biggest gainers in the region after an upbeat trading update from U.K. fashion and home chain Next PLC. Chip makers were also scoring solid advances, taking a cue from their U.S. counterparts that rallied both Tuesday and Wednesday.

U.S. stock-market indexes pushed further into record territory, with the main benchmarks closing at fresh all-time highs Wednesday. The main benchmarks held on to earlier gains after the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting showed a distinct lack of unity over the central bank's projection of three rate hikes in 2018.

Asian stocks headed toward fresh historic highs, with Japan's markets coming back from New Year holidays to see solid gains in the wake of U.S. records. Oil rose, while gold slipped. With Japanese benchmarks heading for the biggest one-day advance since May, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index is headed for a record close.