European share prices are higher in midday trading Thursday.
London's Financial Times index is up 25 points at 4,908. The CAC-40 in Paris is 20 points higher at 4,008, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is up 20 points at 4,284.
The S&P futures contract is down less than one point, indicating a slightly lower opening for U.S. stocks.
Japanese markets are closed most of this week for a national holiday. Trading will resume on Friday.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed up 117 points at 14,062.
The price of gold in London is $430.50 an ounce, up $1.30 from Wednesday.
The dollar in London fell against other major currencies.
