Despite rising coronavirus cases across the nation, U.S. traders appeared to get a second wind on Friday, with Wall Street stocks climbing in opening trading.

European stock markets mostly rose on Friday as coronavirus vaccine hopes eclipsed worries about spiking infections across the region and the United States, dealers said.

World stocks fell back on Thursday after an overnight comeback by big technology shares that have thrived during the pandemic.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday cut its 2020 global oil demand forecast, citing a resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, with vaccines unlikely to have much of an impact until well into next year.

Dubai-based Emirates airline on Thursday posted a $3.4 bn half-year loss, its first in more than three decades, saying it had been badly hit by the global lockdown that brought air transport to "a literal standstill". 

Global maritime trade should recover next year after tanking by 4.1 percent in 2020 owing to the coronavirus, a UN agency forecast Thursday.

Italy's financial police have arrested the former boss of motorway operator Autostrade in an investigation linked to the deadly collapse of the Genoa bridge, media and officials said Wednesday.

Europe's major stock markets climbed higher Wednesday, extending stunning gains this week that were fueled by a promising coronavirus vaccine trial and Joe Biden's U.S. presidential election victory.

Asian markets rose again Wednesday as investors continued to ride the positive sentiment from news of a highly successful vaccine trial and Joe Biden's US election victory.

Chinese consumers snapped up everything from food to electronics and beauty products Wednesday as retailers slashed prices for the world's largest online shopping bonanza, closely watched this year for clues on post-pandemic consumer sentiment.