European share indexes edged up on Friday, boosted by gains in utility stocks as merger talk continued to swirl, with stronger banks also helping outweigh a resource stock slide, according to Reuters. Media group WPP and bank Lloyds TSB were among the top gainers after posting healthy profits, while InBev was swiftly punished after a cost-cutting target disappointed. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares rose 0.3 percent to an unofficial close at 1,359.13, up 1.2 percent for the week and just shy of Thursday's 4-1/2 year intraday high. "At the moment the market's fair value. It could get a little expensive, though, if we continue to see bids," said Emmanuel Soupre, fund manager at Neuflize Gestion in Paris. "The market is looking for robust growth." Franco-Belgian utility Suez jumped 5.9 percent with Gaz de France up 4 percent on new speculation they may consider an alliance to fend off any approach for Suez from Italy's Enel. Both GDF and Suez declined comment. --More 20 07 Local Time 17 07 GMT
