Global shares end high on China comments

US stocks mostly rose today, boosted by a rally in bank shares, though a steep drop in Apple limited the advance and kept the Nasdaq in negative territory.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 115.44 points, or 0.89 percent, at 13,067.22. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 5.71 points, or 0.41 percent, at 1,412.76. But the Nasdaq Composite Index was down 13.75 points, or 0.46 percent, at 2,982.94.

European shares rose, helped by positive comments from China on the outlook for growth there, although jitters over US budget talks and a disappointing Spanish bond sale dented sentiment. 

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed up 0.3 percent at 1,124.07, having hit a peak of 1,126.26 in early trade after Chinese Communist Party chief Xi Jinping said overnight that the country would ensure stable economic growth.