Investing.com - Shares rose on Wednesday as the recent recovery in oil prices and upbeat economic reports calmed fears of a global slowdown.
Asian stocks hit a two-month high and Japan's and China's main indices both rose more than 4%.
European markets were up for the fifth day in a row and U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open after the bell.
Sentiment was boosted by upbeat reports on U.S. construction spending and Australian and Swiss GDP.
Moves by China earlier in the week to shore up its economy also continued to support market sentiment.