In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip firms was up 1.1 percent at 7,115.45 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 won almost 1.2 percent to 11,417.09 points and the Paris CAC 40 jumped 1.4 percent to 5,049.74.

Asian equities rallied following a solid bounce on Wall Street, with attention turning to the release of key US jobs data later in the week for a fresh lead on the economic outlook.

New York turned in a healthy performance Tuesday -- the Dow added 1.8 percent while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq jumped 1.6 percent -- after data showed US consumer confidence at a new 18-year high in October.