Global stocks eke out gains

US stocks ended slightly higher in a third session marked by late-day swings, but the Nasdaq fell after NetApp gave a weak revenue forecast, casting doubt on the outlook for tech spending.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 33.60 points, or 0.27 percent, at 12,529.75. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 1.82 points, or 0.14 percent, at 1,320.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 10.74 points, or 0.38 percent, at 2,839.38.

Investors snapped up heavily sold-off European equities, betting that weak economic data could prompt stimulus from central banks, but with the Greek crisis still unresolved the rally was seen short-lived.

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed up 1.1 percent at 982.61 points, recouping roughly half of the previous day's drop and recovering from five-month lows of 964.66 set last week.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index closed up 0.1 percent at 8,563.38.