Global shares rise on Greece optimism

US stocks extended January's rally on Wednesday after upbeat global manufacturing data boosted sentiment and as Greece neared a long-delayed deal with private creditors.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 83.55 points, or 0.66 percent, to 12,716.46. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 11.67 points, or 0.89 percent, to 1,324.08. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 34.43 points, or 1.22 percent, to 2,848.27.

European shares hit a six-month high as encouraging economic numbers boosted sentiment, while Italian banks gained after the Italian Central Bank made it easier for banks to boost their capital base.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 1.9 percent at 1,057.08 points after climbing to its highest since early August.

The Nikkei average held on to recent gains, edging up for the second session and brushing off worse-than-expected earnings from blue chips like Honda Motor Co, with some market players saying earnings gloom has already been priced in.

The benchmark Nikkei edged up 0.1 percent to 8,809.79, still below its 200-day moving average around 9,082. The broader Topix index advanced 0.4 percent to 757.96.