Global Stocks

European stocks rose Wednesday, hovering near their strongest levels in four weeks, but mining stocks were dragged lower after a round of lackluster updates from metals producers.

The Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, +1.03% gained 1% to close at 340.81, the highest finish since June 23, according to FactSet. That date is when the U.K. Brexit vote was held, with the result putting the country on track toward leaving the European Union.

The European Central Bank on Thursday will issue its first monetary policy decision since the Brexit vote. While ECB President Mario Draghi may offer strong hints of more easing, analysts widely expect very little action from the central bank on Thursday.

U.S. stocks closed at record highs after trading within a narrow range Wednesday, buoyed by a surge in tech stocks after a flurry of corporate earnings beat lowered expectations.

The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.43% traded within a 12-point range Wednesday and closed up 9.24 points, or 0.4%, at 2,173.02, it's sixth record close in eight sessions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +0.19% which traded within a 66-point range, closed up 36.02 points, or 0.2%, at 18,595.03, it's seventh record close in as many sessions.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, +1.06% advanced 53.56 points, or 1.1%, to close at 5,089.93, trading within a 44-point range following a big open.

Asian stocks climbed to nine-month highs on Thursday, helped by a pickup in capital inflows and a recovery in global oil prices, while the dollar stood strong on growing bets of a U.S. rate increase as early as September.