San Francisco Frontiers - World equities extend gains on Fed rate optimism

Asian and European equities tacked higher as investors also eyed news that eurozone unemployment plumbed to a record-low 6.5 percent in October.

Oil prices climbed before this weekend's OPEC output meeting of key crude producing nations.

- 'Positive news' -

"Powell ... signalled a potential slowing of interest rate hikes," noted equity analyst Matt Britzman at UK stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown.

"Markets have been clinging to every scrap of positive news lately and this was a continuation of that trend."

In a much-anticipated speech Wednesday, Powell said the full effects of the Fed's belt-tightening had yet to be felt but that it "makes sense to moderate the pace of our rate increases as we approach the level of restraint that will be sufficient to bring inflation down".

He signalled the US central bank's December gathering would likely see officials lift borrowing costs by 50 basis points.

The Fed has yanked up rates by a bumper 75 points at each of the last four meetings.

However, Powell did say policy would need to remain tight "for some time" to restore price stability, echoing comments from other Fed officials who suggested there might not be any cuts until 2024.

Analysts said the reaction to Powell's remarks -- which had been expected to be his most dovish in some time -- highlighted a sense of relief among investors that a long-hoped-for pivot was on the cards.

- Santa Rally on cards? -

"For the first time in an age it feels like Powell is telling markets what they want to hear," said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

"The message that an easing in the pace of rate hikes could come before the end of the year was just what investors were looking for and raises the prospect of a Santa Rally heading into Christmas."

All three main indexes on Wall Street surged in response on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq leading the way as rate-sensitive tech firms rocketed.

Hong Kong extended gains into a third day, with tech giants including Alibaba and Tencent tracking massive gains in their US-listed stock, while Shanghai was also up.

Equities were also helped by signs that China is edging towards a more pragmatic approach to fighting the coronavirus, having hammered the economy this year with its strict zero-Covid strategy of lockdowns and mass testing.

After widespread unrest against the measures -- and calls for more political freedoms -- authorities have announced moves aimed at loosening some restrictions.

The dollar sank, having soared across the board this year as Fed monetary policy diverged more and more from other central banks.

- Key figures around 1115 GMT -

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 7,578.14 points

Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 14,496.76

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 6,748.44

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.6 percent at 3,986.56

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.9 percent at 28,226.08 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.8 percent at 18,736.44 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 3,165.47 (close)

New York - Dow: UP 2.2 percent at 34,589.77 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0442 from $1.0406 on Wednesday

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 136.34 yen from 138.07 yen

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2150 from $1.2058

Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.94 pence from 86.30 pence

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.6 percent at $87.45 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $81.11 per barrel

burs-rfj/lth

W.Carter--SFF