European shares opened higher Thursday and U.S. futures also advanced after a mixed day of trading in Asia, AP reported. Benchmarks rose in Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Sydney but fell in Shanghai and Seoul as positive momentum from an upbeat close on Wall Street overnight helped offset negative economic data. Markets are closed Thursday and Friday in Tokyo for a national holiday. The Kospi in Seoul lost 0.6% to 2,216.19 after South Korea reported that its economy contracted 3.3% in April-June. The economy shrank 1.3% in the first quarter. In annual terms, the economy contracted at a 2.9% pace. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3% to 6,094.50, even after Josh Frydenberg, the treasurer, said data showed the economy contracted 7% in the last quarter. India's Sensex picked up 0.5% to 38,075.19. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.5% to 25,189.38. Overnight, the S&P 500 picked up 0.6% to 3,276.02, its fourth session of advances. It is within 3.3% of the all-time high it set in February. Gold for August delivery rose another $3.10 to $1,868.20 an ounce, after jumping $21.20 to $1,865.10 an ounce overnight in another sign investors were shifting some holdings to traditionally less risky assets. The price of benchmark U.S oil for September delivery rose 8 cents to $41.98 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell 6 cents to settle at $41.90 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude oil for September delivery picked up 10 cents to $44.39 per ounce. In currency dealings, the U.S. dollar fetched 107.14 Japanese yen, down from 107.16 yen late Wednesday. The euro strengthened to $1.1578 from $1.1569.