European shares traded modestly higher on Friday, with healthcare stocks supporting the regional benchmark even as higher oil prices and renewed Middle East tensions curbed broader risk appetite. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.2% to 659.59 points by 0731 GMT and remained on track for a fourth consecutive weekly advance. Markets were also positioning for a key U.S. jobs report, which could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve's next interest-rate moves. Brent futures extended gains to $83.29 a barrel amid fresh concern over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, after Iran, working with Oman, suggested banning vessels deemed hostile and imposing heavy fines for violating the proposed rules. On the corporate side, insurers underperformed, with the sector down 0.6% after Munich Re fell 3.7% despite reporting a 6% rise in second-quarter net profit and beating expectations for a decline. Healthcare stocks rose 1.3%, led by Genmab, which jumped 7.2% after the cancer drugmaker reported stronger first-half revenue and lifted its full-year outlook.