International markets rallied for a third consecutive session overnight, with investors around the world encouraged by the latest steps European leaders have taken to stem the region's debt crisis.

In Europe the surged, adding 189 points (+3.7%), whilst the CAC (+3.4%) and DAX (+3.2%) also enjoyed very strong gains.

The monster move in the UK was brought about by the Bank of England's decision to launch a second round of quantitative easing, by buying 75 billion pounds of assets.

Stateside, the Dow Jones recorded its third consecutive, triple-digit gain by adding 183 points (+1.7%), whilst the S&P 500 added 1.8% and the Nasdaq jumped 1.9%.

The euro strengthened against 10 of its 16 major peers whilst the British pound slumped against all 16 major peers after the BoE expanded its bond-purchase program.

Crude oil rose overnight, adding 3.7% to cap the biggest two-day rally since February, whilst gold added 0.7% and copper surged 4.5%.

There is no major local data due out for today's local session.