Europe's benchmark stock index scored a more-than-five-month closing high on Tuesday, capping off October with a monthly gain as traders welcomed earnings reports from the likes of airline Ryanair Holdings PLC and oil major BP PLC.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq ending at a record and major indexes overall wrapping up a strong October as quarterly results kept equities drifting near all-time highs.

Equities markets mostly began November on a strong note after big gains in October, but New Zealand stocks were a noted laggard even with a much-stronger-than-expected jobs report.

Asian shares were higher Wednesday on optimism about global economic growth following gains on Wall Street.