World stocks edged higher yesterday after data showed the US services sector grew at a slightly faster pace in May, but the Iseq fell nearly 2% as the eurozone crisis escalated, with Spain saying it was being shut out of credit markets.

Global stocks slid and the euro hit a four-month low yesterday on worries about a potential exit by Greece from the eurozone, while the outlook for slower world growth worsened after China moved to prop up lending.