European stock markets closed with small gains Tuesday after trading in tight ranges, as investors absorbed developments in Catalonia after the weekend's chaotic independence vote. The Stoxx Europe 600 index SXXP, +0.15% rose 0.2% to end at 390.72, holding near its highest level since mid-June and rising for a ninth straight session.

U.S. stock benchmarks booked another round of records on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 notching its sixth positive session in a row, as the market took its cues from upbeat data, including reports on vehicle sales.

Japanese and Hong Kong share markets led Asian stocks higher on Wednesday, with the Chinese central bank's weekend move to free up more liquidity boosting sentiment as the world's second-largest economy grows at a steady pace. Across Asia this week, trade has been generally subdued and volumes thin with China and South Korea closed for week-long holidays and analysts cautioned against reading too much into index moves.