Asian equities hit another high today as investors put aside worries about credit markets and banked on future corporate and global economic growth.
The dollar picked up against major currencies following Friday's stronger-than-expected US jobs report, which calmed fears about a significant downturn the world's largest economy and dampened expectations of an interest rate cut.
Asian stocks outside of Japan hit record highs in keeping with the flood of money moving into emerging markets since the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates last month.
The dollar was up versus the euro and the yen on the more upbeat view of the US economy.
Data showed the economy added 110,000 new jobs in September, and hiring in each of the two previous months was revised up significantly, showing a more resilient labour market than previously thought.
Stocks ticked over in Europe, with the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares flat to slightly lower, while the Iseq was at 8,415.41 at midday, down 63.07 points.
Signs that European officials are growing increasingly worried about the euro's elevated levels also kept the single European currency from making further gains.
The euro was down 0.18 per cent at $1.4110, more than a cent and a half below last week's record highs. The dollar index against major currencies firmed to 78.462, moving further away from record lows of 77.6 60 set earlier this month.