The U.S. benchmark S&P 500 stock index set record intraday and closing highs on Monday as last week's strong monthly U.S. jobs report worked its way into financial markets, and European shares rose as a single candidate emerged to succeed David Cameron as British prime minister.
The S&P 500 .SPX ended at a record high of 2,137.16 after touching a record intraday high of 2,143.16. It overtook the previous highs touched in May 2015 as investors harbored greater optimism about the U.S. economy after last Friday's stronger-than-expected jobs report.
A top European share index rose on Monday to post its highest close since Britain voted to leave the European Union, after Theresa May won the race to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister, reducing political uncertainty in the UK.
May's rival for the leadership, Andrea Leadsom, pulled out of the race on Monday, and Cameron said he would resign on Wednesday to hand over to May and avoid a leadership vacuum over the summer.
The STOXX Europe 600 closed up 1.6 percent at 332.72, its highest close since June 23, the day of the referendum. However, the index remains 4 percent below that closing level, after the result sent shares tumbling on concerns over the outlook for the British and euro zone economies.
Asian stocks held firm around a 2-1/2-month peak on Tuesday, a day after U.S. shares hit a record high thanks to a combination of upbeat U.S. data and expectations of more stimulus around the world.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose slightly to hit its highest level since late April in early trade. Japan's Nikkei .N225 jumped 2.4 percent.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC
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