Strong dollar lifts Japan shares toward 13-month high

Spreadbetters pointed to a firm opening for European bourses, while E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 added another 0.1 percent. The strength of the U.S. currency kept a lid on commodity prices, but helped Japan's exporter-heavy stock market rally toward its biggest daily increase in almost two months. It was further aided by domestic data showing factory activity had expanded at the fastest pace in a year.