European stocks ended on an upbeat note on hopes for healthy profit growth among energy and technology companies.
The FTSE Eurotop 300 index ended up 0.5 percent at 1,014.8 points, 4 points above last week's close. The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.3 percent to 2,858.9.
In Japan, the Nikkei average managed a small gain to end at another 32-month high.
The Nikkei closed up 0.61 percent at 12,092.59, its highest close since Aug. 8, 2001. After staying above 12,000 for a third day, the Nikkei was now expected to remain well supported above this level. The broader TOPIX index was up 0.42 percent at 1,209.89.
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