Stock markets strong worldwide

Overnight Asian equity markets finished the trading session higher in both Japan and Hong Kong.

The Nikkei index in Japan closed up a quarter of a per cent, while the Chinese market gained just over 1% in strong trading.

US markets had a strong day yesterday extending gains from a five-year low set on July 24.

In New York, the Dow Jones Index more than 2% while the S&P Index also gained the same.

In Europe, the French market gained three and a half per cent.

The German market gained 4.5%, in the UK the FTSE 100 gained just over 2% while the ISEQ finished the day lower.

European stocks are expected to open strongly today following the strong performances yesterday in the US.

A euro will buy you 98 US cent or 63p sterling.