A roundup of trading on major world markets:

NEW YORK – The Dow blue chips closed in the black Friday to end the week higher but the Nasdaq took a turn lower pulled down in part by a sharp fall in the share price of leading biotech firm Gilead.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 45.79 points (0.35 per cent) to 12,949.87, its best finish since May 19, 2008.

The broad-based S&P 500 added 3.19 points (0.23 per cent) to 1,361.23, its highest level since the beginning of May last year.

But the Nasdaq Composite lost 8.07 (0.27 per cent) to 2,951.78.

LONDON – European stock markets closed higher as investors took heart from the latest comments on the Greek debt crisis and positive US economic data, analysts said.

In London, the FTSE 100 index gained 0.33 per cent to close at 5,905.07 points, the Paris CAC 40 added 1.37 per cent to 3,439.62 points and Frankfurt’s DAX 30 rose 1.42 per cent to 6,848.03 points.

The European single currency firmed to $US1.3150 from $US1.3132 in New York late on Thursday, when it fell as low as $US1.2974 – the lowest point since January 25 – on intensifying fears of a Greek default.

HONG KONG – Asian stocks rose, shrugging off concerns about the eurozone’s debt crisis as a batch of rosy US economic data buoyed investor sentiment with the Dow hitting a near four-year high.

Tokyo stocks on Friday hit their highest level in six months, rising 1.58 per cent, or 146.07 points, to 9,384.17, Sydney gained 0.33 per cent, or 14.0 points, to 4,195.9, while Seoul closed 1.30 per cent higher, or 26.02 points, at 2,023.47.

In afternoon trade, Hong Kong was up 0.57 per cent and Shanghai shares inched 0.03 per cent higher.

On currency markets, the euro was $US1.3132 and Y103.98 yen, against $US1.3135 and Y103.60 in New York late on Thursday.

The dollar bought Y79.17 yen, from Y78.94.

WELLINGTON – The NZX 50 Index rose 2.55 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 3289. Within the index, 20 stocks fell, 16 rose and 14 were unchanged. Turnover was $73 million.