European equities ended higher on Friday, extending weekly gains as technology, industrial and healthcare stocks advanced. The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 rose 0.4% to 661 by the close, after being up 0.2% at 659.59 points by 0731 GMT and remaining on track for a fourth straight weekly advance. The Euro STOXX 50 gained 0.4% to 6,530. Technology-linked names including SAP, Infineon and Siemens led gains, while healthcare shares also outperformed. Insurers underperformed despite stronger quarterly results, with Munich Re and Allianz both falling. Earlier in the day, firmer Brent crude prices and renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz kept broader risk appetite restrained, while investors also watched U.S. payrolls data for signals on the interest-rate outlook.