Stocks climbed after Australia's central bank cut interest rates by a bigger-than-expected 3/4 point. Central banks in the euro zone and the Bank of England meet later in the week and could add to global efforts to lower the cost of borrowing.
US stocks opened higher as investors looked forward to putting the uncertainty of the presidential voting behind them. Even a bigger-than-expected drop in US factory orders didn't push stocks lower.
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei index soared, while European stocks also rose. The dollar fell against most other major currencies, while gold prices rose.
"Traders are only focusing on one event for the next 24 hours, and that is the election." said Jonathan Kornafel, Asia director of U.S. based options trader Hudson Capital Energy.