European stocks are likely to open on a positive note Friday after tech giants Alphabet and Microsoft reported earnings beat for the first quarter, helping ease concerns about the cost of artificial intelligence.

Indian shares were little changed in cautious trade on Friday as investors reacted to mixed earnings results from U.S. tech majors as well as new U.S. data showing slowing GDP growth but strong inflation.

Monetary developments from the euro area and consumer confidence from France are due on Friday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, retail sales and household consumption from Norway and foreign trade data from Sweden are due.

Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Friday, despite the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders remained cautious and were reluctant to take up long positions ahead of key data from the U.S. They also continued to pick up stocks at a bargain following the recent sell-off. Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday.

Indian shares are likely to open on a muted note Friday as investors react to signs of weaker GDP growth and stubborn inflationary pressures in the U.S.

The U.S. PCE index, scheduled for release later today, may exceed expectations, dampening prospects for Fed interest rate cuts.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: US economy: slower growth with stronger inflation

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: The Nasdaq100 might retreat to 15800

Yen falls to new 34-year low ahead of BoJ decision - Dollar traders await GDP and PCE data - Wall Street mixed, gold stays on the back foot

Euro-dollar stable; stochastic positive. Dollar up 0.33% vs. yen; Williams signals overbought. Gold-dollar drops 0.3%; stochastic RSI oversold. Tesla falls 0.5%; oscillator positive. Yen weakens, S&P 500 rises, US Treasury auction affects yields. Australian inflation disappoints. Upcoming: US GDP, French business climate, Japan CPI, UK consumer confidence.