Stock markets broadly advanced Friday after US inflation data bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve would again cut interest rates next week, with fresh optimism over US-China trade relations further boosting confidence.

After solid gains on Asian markets, European indexes showed more modest gains while Wall Street advanced strongly.

Investors had keenly awaited a September reading on US inflation, delayed by weeks because of the government shut down over a budget impasse, for guidance on further Fed rate cuts.

The core consumer price index increase, which strips out food and petrol prices, came in below expectations at 3.0 percent, the Labor Department said.

Although above the Fed's inflation target of two percent, the reading confirmed to traders that officials are more wor

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