The U.S. Commerce Department is preparing to fund $6.1 billion to US chip maker Micron Technology Inc. as part of the Government's plan to boost domestic semiconductor production, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter. The award is yet to get final approval, and will be revealed next week. In pre-market activity on the Nasdaq, Micron shares were gaining around 2 percent.

Indian shares extended losses for a fourth day running on Thursday due to heightened tensions in the Middle East and concerns about the outlook for U.S interest rates.

Euro area construction output grew for a third straight month in February and at a stronger pace, mainly led by civil engineering works and rebound in building construction, preliminary data from the statistical office Eurostat showed Thursday. Construction output rose a calendar and seasonally adjusted 1.8 percent month-on-month following a downwardly revised 0.2 percent gain in January.

European stocks eked out modest gains on Thursday as soft eurozone inflation data for March booted hopes for an ECB rate cut in June.

U.K. stocks were slightly higher on Thursday as investors kept a close eye on developments in the Middle East and awaited comments later today from Bank of England policymaker Megan Greene for further clues on when the central might lower interest rates.

Euro Dollar up 0.4%, Dollar Yen down 0.2%, Gold Dollar drops 0.8%. Nike gains 0.2%. Dollar strong, impacting Yen. US stocks volatile on Fed concerns, Europe steady. Key events: US jobless claims, Australia employment, Eurozone meeting, Japan industry index, Australia unemployment rate.

The British pound sterling is showing signs of recovery, bouncing back from a five-month low, with GBP/USD stabilising around the 1.2470 mark on Thursday.

Euro edges higher despite continued hawkish commentary from Fed officials; Geopolitical developments cast doubt on ECB June rate cut; Yen fails to make considerable gains as market looks to Friday’s CPI data

Oil prices experienced a significant drop in the last session that was influenced by an accelerating build-up in U.S. crude inventories and concerns about oil demand.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: The dollar pauses after a climb