Global markets

Wall Street ends up with upbeat FedEx outlook

US stocks ended higher as economic bellwether FedEx offered a bullish profit outlook in a hopeful sign for growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 42.01 points, or 0.37 percent, to end at 11,499.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 7.66 points, or 0.62 percent, to 1,242.89. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 20.09 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,637.31.

European equities ended higher, helped by gains in food and beverages shares following a jump in Danisco stocks on strong results, though worries about euro zone debt weighed on sentiment.

Appetite for riskier assets remained high and the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares hovered near this week's 26-month highs. The index closed up 0.4 percent at 1,131.31 points and is 8 percent ahead this year.

Japan's Nikkei was flat as optimism after the dollar hit a near three-month high against the yen the previous day was offset by worries over euro zone debt and overheating in the market.

The Nikkei has been trapped in a narrow range this week as

domestic investors aggressively took profits on its rally of around 12.6 percent since the beginning of November, while foreign investors continued buying financial shares seen as undervalued.

The Nikkei was flat at 10,307.56 in early trade. The broader Topix index lost 0.05 percent to 902.02.