Europe's main equity benchmark marched higher Tuesday, helped by advances for miners and U.K. manufacturer Rotork PLC, while a fake news release rocked French builder Vinci SA.

Major U.S. stock indexes closed at record highs for a second straight session Tuesday, with the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 also clearing noteworthy psychological barriers. U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday as the Dow industrials and S&P 500 cleared psychological milestones but major indexes simultaneously reached record highs for a second straight day.

Asian shares traded in positive territory Wednesday, taking a lead from record gains in the U.S. overnight that were driven by continuing post-election exuberance.