LONDON (AP) -- European markets lacked direction Thursday as investors waited for the open on Wall Street, where stocks are expected to rise ahead of readings on U.S. economic output and weekly unemployment claims.
By noon in mainland Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent to 3,906.52, Germany's DAX rose 0.6 percent to 4,248.69, and France's CAC 40 slipped 0.1 percent to 2,889.47.
Asian markets gained, after Wednesday's better-than-forecast U.S. economic data on new homes sales and durable goods orders buoyed hopes that government stimulus measures are starting to heal the global economy.
Reports are due from the U.S. Thursday on gross domestic product for the final three months of 2008 and on the number of workers seeking unemployment benefits last week.
Ahead of the reports, Dow Jones industrial average futures climbed 1.1 percent to 7,759, Standard & Poor's 500 index futures rose 1.2 percent, and Nasdaq 100 index futures added 1.4 percent.
Hong Kong's market led Asia higher, with the Hang Seng vaulting 486.87 points, or 3.6 percent, to 14,108.98. Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 156.34 points, or 1.8 percent, to 8,636.33, and South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.2 percent to 1,243.80.
Elsewhere, Shanghai's index jumped 3.1 percent, Australia's benchmark added 1 percent and Singapore's key stock measure advanced 4 percent. India's Sensex rose 3.5 percent to 10,003.10. more...
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