The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) and European stocks opened higher on Friday morning following a strong overnight performance from stocks in Asia. London’s blue-chip share index nearly hit a new all time high at the start of trading as it opened 0.3% higher at 8,194 points. Anglo American (AAL.L) is the top riser riser, up 3.4%, after Reuters reported on Thursday night that commodities group Glencore was studying an approach for Anglo. Germany's DAX (^GDAXI) rose 0.4% and the CAC (^FCHI) in Paris climbed 0.3%. The pan-European STOXX 600 (^STOXX) gained 0.3% at the open. Apple (AAPL) reported better-than-anticipated earnings and revenue, though iPhone sales fell about 10% year over year. Across the pond, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose roughly 0.9%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained about 0.8%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the gains, up 1.5%. The pound (GBPUSD=X) was higher against the dollar at 1.2546. Hong Kong stocks (^HSI) led a surge in Asian markets as China stepped-up efforts to boost the economy. Follow along for live updates throughout the day: Supermarket Asda has refinanced around £3.2bn of its debt amid “strong demand” from investors. It said the new bond agreements will now mature in...