Global shares rise on Chinese data

US stocks shed the sour tone that plagued equities all week on Friday, with a rally that broke a six-day losing streak.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 203.82 points, or 1.62 percent, at 12,777.09. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 22.01 points, or 1.65 percent, at 1,356.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 42.28 points, or 1.48 percent, at 2,908.47.

European shares posted their highest close in more than a week as better-than-expected Chinese growth data propelled gains in mining stocks and helped offset fresh worries over the euro zone debt crisis.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 1.3 percent at 1,042.63 points, its highest close since ending at 1,044.47 points on July 5. The Euro STOXX 50 index also rose 1.4 percent to 2,259.09 points.

In Asia, Nikkei share average edged up to snap a six-session losing streak. The Nikkei crept up 0.1 percent to 8,724.12. The broader Topix index closed 0.2 percent lower at 746.24.