Wall Street rises; European shares edge lower

Wall Street stocks rose on Thursday after data showed the US labor market remained on the mend, but the market stalled as it approached highs not seen since before the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 46.02 points, or 0.36 percent, to 12,984.69. The S&P 500 Index rose 5.80 points, or 0.43 percent, to 1,363.46. The Nasdaq Composite added 23.81 points, or 0.81 percent, to 2,956.98.

European shares fell for a third straight session, weighed down by negative growth forecasts for the euro zone and poor results from some of region's lenders, but charts showed the market still enjoys technical support.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.2 percent lower at 1,075.32 points, just below its 14-day moving average, in what is normally considered a bearish signal.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei share average advanced to end just below 9,600, with a softer yen underpinning market sentiment and boosting risk appetite.

The Nikkei closed 0.4 percent higher at 9,595.57 after breaking resistance to end above 9,500 in the previous session for the first time since early August.

The broader Topix gained 0.5 percent to 829.35.