A global stocks index hit a record high on Tuesday as investors took comfort in growing views the US Federal Reserve is likely to delay the start of tapering its asset purchases and maintain its expansive monetary policy for the near-term.

European bourses are expected to dip, however, after gains on Monday, with Euro Stoxx futures down 0.1 percent and Britain's FTSE futures trading 0.3 percent lower.

The world's shares, measured by MSCI's gauge of 50 markets, tacked on 0.1 perecent to log their eighth consecutive day of gains to record highs.

"Now that the tapering announcement from the Fed in September seems unlikely, we should expect 'Goldilocks' markets to continue to at least...