European shares rose in early trading on Friday, buoyed by gains overnight in Wall Street and at steelmaker Thyssenkrupp, although persistent concerns over Greece kept a lid on the overall progress.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 0.4 per cent to 1,530.97 points. Germany’s DAX progressed by 0.7 per cent, while France’s CAC rose 0.5 per cent.

Thyssenkrupp climbed 1.5 per cent after Citigroup upgraded its rating on the stock to “buy’’ from “neutral’’.

Denmark’s benchmark equity index gained 0.8 per cent after Danish voters ousted Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in an election on Thursday and handed power to an Opposition centre-right alliance including huge gains for a eurosceptic, anti-immigrant party.

Nevertheless, the deadlock in talks between Greece and its creditors remained of concern to some investors.

Richard Griffiths, associate director at Berkeley Futures, said the uncertainty over Greece meant he would not look to hold “long’’ positions — namely those betting on future gains — on the stock market going into the week-end.

“We’re really only up on the back of the strength in the US, but I’d still be inclined to sell the rallies because of the Greek situation. It would be a brave man who goes in ‘long’ into the week-end,’’ said Griffiths.

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