Stocks in the United States have risen as a weak dollar and expectations of economic stimulus from the US Federal Reserve prompted investors to pick up riskier assets.
The Dow Jones Index was up 72 points on Monday to 11,204. The Nasdaq Composite was up 19 points to 2499.
European stock exchanges edged higher as investors welcomed both a commitment by the G20 to steer clear of currency devaluations and a strong gain in existing home sales in the United States.
The FTSE 100 index in London rose 0.18% to close at 5752, while the CAC-40 in Paris gained 0.04% to 3870 points and the DAX in Frankfurt, added 0.5% to finish at 6639.
Across the Tasman, the Australian 200 Index closed 62 points, or 1.3% higher on Monday, at 4710.
The NZX 50 was closed for Labour Day.
At 8.30am on Monday, the New Zealand dollar was trading at 75.33 US cents, 75.99 Australian cents, 47.86 pence, 60.92 yen and 0.5392 euro.
The Trade Weighted Index was at 66.64.
Brent crude oil was trading at $US82.21 per barrel and gold was trading at $US1338.75 per ounce.