US stocks rallied after the U.S. Federal Reserve offered no indication that a reduction in the pace of its stimulus program is imminent.
European stocks rose, kept buoyant by robust data out of the United States and Europe as well as strong earnings releases from major companies.
Asian shares got off to an indecisive start after the Federal Reserve provided little clarity on the outlook for U.S. stimulus, leaving investors hostage to Chinese data later in the session.