Canada's main stock index rose on Wednesday, helped by mining shares, as investors cheered the Bank of Canada's hefty interest rate cut and the possibility of a U.S. rate cut next week. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was up 59.

Asian markets rose on Thursday after US inflation data cleared the way for another Federal Reserve rate cut next week. November inflation in the world’s largest economy came in at 2.7 per cent, higher than the previous month but in line with market expectations,

US and European stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday after inflation data cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve will trim interest rates next month.