Signs that the world's big central banks will go even easier on monetary conditions, extending an era of ultra-low interest rates, have helped drive a recovery for stock markets after a short bout of volatility following Britain's vote to leave the European Union last week.

The 30-year Treasury yield hit its lowest since the 1950s at 2.189 percent.

The yen climbed against the dollar and sterling was pinned near 31-year lows as the chances of a U.S. rate hike from the Federal Reserve receded and Britain's central bank hinted at a rate cut and more stimulus in the months ahead. European shares rose with the European Central Bank also reported to be looking at bond purchases.

"The market is trying to front-run possible central bank actions," said Ed Al-Hussainy, a global rates and currency strategist at Columbia Threadneedle in Minneapolis.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell to its lowest in four years, hitting 1.382 percent and taking it within striking distance of record lows. French and Dutch equivalents hit all-time lows. Those for others among Europe's struggling southern states also fell, with Spain's 10-year debt at its lowest in over a year.

Bonds outstripped stocks so far this year. The Bank of America/Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury index returned 5.7 percent in the first half of the year, outpacing a total return of 2.69 pct for the S&P 500.

Bundesbank President and ECB rate setter Jens Weidmann poured cold water on the idea of further stimulus. He said monetary policy is already expansionary and expressed doubts further easing would have a stimulus effect.[F9N18600Y]

Gold climbed and was heading for its fifth weekly gain, supported by a weaker dollar and the prospects for further monetary policy easing. Spot gold rose to a session high of $1,341.40 an ounce. The metal gained 8.8 percent in June, its biggest monthly rise since February.

The MSCI All-Country World index rose 0.4 percent and has risen nearly 6 percent in the last four days although it is still below where it was trading prior to Britain's referendum on June 23.

The S&P 500, trading close to all time highs, gave up some of its gains into the afternoon as financial stocks weighed. The index last traded up 0.2 percent.

Britian's FTSE has been one of the surprising leaders of the post-referendum rebound. The index of Britain's 100 biggest firms rose 1.1 percent and is trading at its highest level in over a year. The index is nearly 4 percent higher than before the referendum.

In currency markets, the dollar fell 0.8 percent against the yen and was down 0.4 percent against a trade-weighted basket of currencies. Sterling traded down 0.4 percent to $1.3260, continuing its slide after Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said on Thursday that the central bank would probably need to pump more stimulus into Britain's economy over the summer. Sterling was approaching a recent low of $1.3218. [USD/]

The euro rose 0.2 percent against the dollar to $1.1128.

The weaker dollar also spilled over into the commodities market, pushing up the price of oil. Brent crude rose 0.7 percent to $50.11, while U.S. crude added 0.7 percent to $48.69. [O/R]

(Additional reporting by Patrick Graham in London and Richard Leong in New York; Editing by Tom Brown)

By Edward Krudy