Global shares gain in record year-end rally, US$ slips

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NEW YORK: World equity markets scaled records on Friday with global growth prospects raised by upbeat Chinese economic data and optimism a U.S.-Sino trade deal is imminent, but the year-end rally ebbed on Wall Street and the dollar eased as risk appetite grew.

Wall Street set all-time highs early and European shares rose to a third day of record peaks this week as various U.S. and European indexes remained set to post their best year since the global financial crisis a decade ago.