World stocks powered to a 10-month high on Monday and oil rallied after last week's upbeat US housing data and optimistic comments from the world's key central bankers prompted investors to buy risky assets.

Friday's survey showed sales of previously owned US homes jumped 7.2 percent in July to mark the fastest pace in nearly two years.

Central bankers said at the annual gathering in Jackson Hole on Friday the worst global recession in 70 years was nearing a close, although they warned it would be a long, slow climb back to normal growth.

'The rally seems like building strength again ... This broad rally shows no sign of running out of steam as yet,' said Matthew Buckland, dealer at CMC Markets.

MSCI world equity index rose 0.7 percent to reach levels not seen since October. The FTSEurofirst 300 index rose almost 1 percent.

Tokyo stocks jumped 3.4 percent, their biggest one-day gain in 3-1/2 months. However, trading was thin, with turnover volume on the Tokyo stock exchange's first section at its lowest level since July 28.

Investors were also hesitant about taking heavy positions before the Aug. 30 general election where many expect the opposition Democratic Party to win.

Emerging stocks rose 1.75 percent.

'The question of whether the global economy is undergoing a recovery is being answered little by little in the affirmative, as positive economic data last week combined with some relatively upbeat comments from major central bankers over the weekend,' Brown Brothers Harriman said in a note to clients.

'Further gains in equities ... combined with some strong moves in commodities reflecting the optimism about growth prospects.'

US crude oil rose 0.6 percent to $74.31 a barrel, nearing Friday's 10-month high and supporting oil shares. A storm off eastern Canada also lent support.

The dollar fell 0.2 percent against a basket of major currencies. Against the yen it rose half a percent to 94.95. The September Bund future fell 18 ticks. - Reuters