In the US, late buying, spurred by a sell off in oil prices, brightened up an otherwise dull session hit by mixed earnings, guidance and economic data.
The Dow added 75 points at 10,748.79 with the Nasdaq 20.45 points better at 2,051.70 and the S&P500 9.4 points firmer at 1,200.2.
In Asia, the Nikkei has just closed 127 points ahead.