Global stock markets get a Federal Reserve boost, rise to two-week highs

World stocks rose to their highest level in over two weeks on Monday, following reassuring comments from the US Federal Reserve chief, signs of progress on a US-Mexico North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) trade deal and a bid by China’s central bank to stabilise the yuan.

A stronger-than-expected German business sentiment survey added to the upbeat mood in Europe, with stock markets in Paris and Frankfurt up about 0.5 per cent each.

British markets were closed for a public holiday, while US stock futures pointed to fresh gains on Wall Street. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1.1