LONDON: Global stock markets posted gains Tuesday as oil prices rose and after US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen expressed confidence in the US economy despite poor jobs data.
Eurozone markets also received a shot in the arm from an upward revision in economic growth in the single currency bloc.
US shares rose as higher oil prices lifted petroleum-linked shares.
"Domestic stocks continue to rebound, with the energy sector rising as crude oil prices are extending their recent rally, while global optimism is emanating from yesterday's speech from Fed Chair Janet Yellen," analysts Charles Schwab said in an investors' note.
"European equities are higher following upbeat data and eased Brexit concerns," it added.
On foreign exchange, the British pound rebounded a day after falling to around three-week lows on an uncertain outcome to the June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership.
Oil prices rose, with Brent reaching a near eight-month high on unrest in Africa's biggest crude producer Nigeria, as well as dollar weakness.
At around 1600 GMT, benchmark oil Brent North Sea crude for delivery in August was $51.04 a barrel.
London's FTSE 100 index finished 0.2 percent higher compared with Monday's close.
Royal Dutch Shell closed more than three percent higher in London after the energy giant forecast bigger-than-expected savings following a recent huge takeover of smaller rival BG Group.
Frankfurt meanwhile closed 1.7 percent up and Paris gained 1.2 percent.
- Eurozone growth -
Official EU data Tuesday showed growth in the eurozone strengthened to a revised 0.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016, a sign that the sluggish economy in Europe may be improving.
The Eurostat statistics agency said growth in the 19-nation single currency bloc accelerated in January to March at a slightly greater pace than the previous 0.5 percent estimate.
Industrial production in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, meanwhile rose in April, separate figures showed.
Markus Huber, a trader at City of London Markets, noted that wider European stocks were "receiving a boost from firmer markets across Asia on the back of a speech by Fed chief Janet Yellen yesterday".
"While Yellen indirectly confirmed that there won't be a rate hike in June, she also sounded confident that the US economy remains strong despite a disappointing US non-farm payrolls report last Friday," he said.
She helped markets tentatively put the surprisingly dismal US jobs report behind them, saying one month's data is not so significant and that the overall jobs market situation has been "quite positive".
But Yellen backed away from previous Fed hints for a rate increase in June or July, only saying that tighter monetary policy should come gradually.
Asian stock markets rose for a third straight trading day Tuesday, while the dollar's relative weakness helped support oil prices.
- Key figures around 1545 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 6,284.53 points (close)
Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 1.65 percent at 10,287.68 points (close)
Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.2 percent at 4,475.86 (close)
EURO STOXX 50: UP 1.4 percent at 3,043.01
New York - Dow: UP 0.4 percent at 17,994.12
New York - S&P 500: UP 0.5 percent at 2,109.41
New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.04 percent at 4,970.72
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.6 percent at 16,675.45 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 2,936.04 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 1.4 percent at 21,328.24 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1351 from $1.1355 late Monday
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 107.38 yen from 107.57 yen
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.4567 from $1.4439
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