Both European and Asian markets saw gains Tuesday, as investors wait for the U.S. Federal Reserve to meet Tueday.
European markets
European markets crept higher in early trade as investors await the results of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting.
The FTSE 100 edged slightly higher, up 7.7 points, with gains for Lloyds TSB bank and Shell Transport and Trading.
The CAC 40 rose 0.4%, pushed higher by oil company Total Elf Fina and France Telecom.
The Xetra Dax rose 0.5 percent, with BASF and Deutsche Telekom leading the index. The SMI rose 0.1%.
The FTSE Eurotop 300 rose 0.2%, led by gains for the chemical, health and oil sectors.
Asian markets
Asia's markets climbed, with optimism about corporate earnings pushing the Nikkei 2.6% higher.
The Nikkei average of 225 stocks jumped 2.6, led by gains for Toshiba after it raised its earnings estimate for the fiscal year.
The Hang Seng rose 0.6%, as HSBC Holdings rose to a record high.
A surge in telecom stocks led to a 1.9% gain on the Kospi, while the Straits Times index gained 0.5%, led by Singapore Telecom, which saw gains after a US$146 million deal to to increase its stake in New Century Infocomm.
