Global stocks were higher Wednesday after the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections met investors' expectations.

Despite Democratic gains in the U.S. House of Representatives, few anticipate reversals of President Donald Trump's tax cuts and the elimination of federal regulations.

Democrats captured more than the 23 seats needed to regain control of the House and Republicans extended their lead in the Senate.

Europe's FTSE 100 Index moved 1 percent higher, to 7,117, and Asia's Hang Seng Index climbed more than 3 percent, to 2,6147.

In afternoon trading in the U.S., the Standard and Poor's 500 Index was nearly 1.5 percent higher, at 2,795, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained more than 1.5 percent, to 2,629, and the NASDAQ 100 Index jumped more than 2.3 percent, to 7,150.