Global stocks end higher

The S&P 500 inched higher on Friday to close at the highest since before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, continuing a pattern of steady gains on signs of US economic recovery.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 2.27 points, or 0.02 percent, at 12,982.42. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.28 points, or 0.17 percent, at 1,365.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.77 points, or 0.23 percent, at 2,963.75.

European share price edged up, bolstered by companies with exposure to faster-growing foreign markets that are better protected from the bloc's economic and debt woes.

But with Europe's battered consumers facing a fresh shock from rising oil prices, Greece's debt troubles far from over and equities up strongly since the start of the year, investor caution kept volume thin and prevented the market returning to Monday's seven-month peaks.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 closed up 0.2 percent on the day at 1,077.18 points, making up only some of its earlier weakness to finish 0.5 percent lower for the week in its second-worst showing for two months.