GLOBAL MARKETS-Global Stocks Up After China Shares Rally, Gold at All-Time High

GLOBAL MARKET - LONDON/TOKYO. Global shares edged higher on Friday, spurred by a rally in Chinese stocks on Beijing's latest policy steps to boost demand and also supported by robust U.S. economic data out this week.

MSCI's index of global stocks edged up around a quarter of a percent, with tentative gains for European stocks. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were also up 0.2% and 0.5% ahead of the Wall Street open.