European stocks logged the best close in about seven weeks, taking the lead from an upbeat session the prior day in the U.S., as attention shifted from geopolitical concerns to the earnings season. U.K. stocks erased an earlier loss and swung higher, after a mixed reading on the country's labor market sent the pound lower.

U.S. stocks rallied on Tuesday, with major indexes closing at the highest levels in about a month as the latest round of corporate earnings supported the thesis that valuations are supported by economic activity. The day's gains were broad, with all 11 S&P 500 sectors ending in solidly higher territory, although the technology and consumer-discretionary groups saw the biggest advance on the day.

Asian equities Wednesday largely built on gains in the U.S. and Europe the day before, but Chinese stocks continued to lag behind on concerns about trade and the country's economy. Equities there started higher, but the selling resumed by midmorning, led by small-caps as they extended Tuesday's selloff.