Global stocks end high the day before jobs data

US stocks closed modestly higher today, a day ahead of the key monthly jobs report, as a rebound in shares of Apple helped boost technology shares.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 39.55 points, or 0.30 percent, to 13,074.04 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 4.66 points, or 0.33 percent, to 1,413.94. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 15.57 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 2,989.27.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares posted an 18-month closing high today, with positive technicals, an improving global economic outlook and attractive valuations raising equities' appeal.

The widely-tracked index finished 0.7 percent higher at 1,131.85 points, the highest close since late May 2011. The index is up about 13 percent so far this year and has gained nearly 20 percent from multi-month lows in June, partly on supportive measures taken by central banks across the globe.