European stock markets charged higher again on Tuesday, closing at a fresh one-year high after upbeat Chinese and U.S. manufacturing data fueled optimism over economic growth in the world's two largest economies.

U.S. stocks closed just shy of record levels on Wednesday following the release of the Federal Reserve's policy minutes from its December meeting and a strong showing in auto sales.

Asian equities started Thursday's session largely higher, building on start-of-the-year strength as U.S. stocks continued to gain overnight, though Japan equities retreated slightly after their stout kickoff to 2017.