The discussion on the US rate outlook comes as expectations rise that the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are planning summer cuts.
London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam all hit new highs, with stocks also benefiting from strong first-quarter earnings.
However, Asian markets were mixed in the early going, with Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington and Jakarta falling, while Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Manila rose, while Tokyo remained steady.
Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: flat (break) at 38,243.59
Hong Kong – Hang Seng index: up 0.6 percent at 19,084.04
Shanghai – Composite: down 0.5 percent at 3,139.55
Dollar/Yen: Decreased to 155.85 yen from 155.88 yen on Friday
EUR/USD: Drops to $1.0770 from $1.0772
Pound/Dollar: Down from $1.2525 to $1.2522
Euro/pound: down from 86.06 pence to 86.01
West Texas Intermediate: down 0.6 percent at $77.82 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: down 0.6 percent at $82.32 per barrel
New York – Dow: up 0.3 percent at 39,512.84 (close)
LONDON – FTSE 100: up 0.6 percent at 8,433.76 (close)