Asian, EU stocks mostly up, U.S. futures slip.

Asian and European shares have mostly risen as markets enjoy a break from a global sell-off that has been going on for about two weeks. The Nikkei increased following strong earnings reports, while encouraging PMI data has helped keep much of Europe higher. However, there are doubts about the sustainability of today's gains. "Opinions remain divided on whether this week's rally is anything more than a 'dead cat bounce'," say analysts at BNP Paribas. Perhaps reflecting those doubts, U.S. stock futures were lower premarket.