Ahead of Wednesday's Labor Day holiday, the South Korea stock market had moved higher in three straight sessions, collecting almost 65 points or 2.5 percent along the way. The KOSPI now sits just above the 2,690-point plateau although the rally may stall on Thursday.

The total number of building permits issued in New Zealand was down a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent on month in March, Statistics New Zealand said on Thursday - coming in at 2,931.

The Bank of Japan will release the minutes from its March 18-19 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Despite spending much of the The Canadian market ended marginally up on Wednesday, with investors digesting quarterly earnings announcements, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement, and awaiting crucial U.S. non-farm payroll data.

The U.S. dollar turned in a weak performance on Wednesday, weighed down early on in the New York session by data showing a contraction in the nation's manufacturing activity and a drop in job openings, and then reacting to the Federal Reserve's policy statement, and Jerome Powell's comments.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: ADP hints at another strong NFP on Friday

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: Fed’s hawkish tone risks sinking S&P500 to 4700

Fed meeting in the spotlight; equities under pressure; Dollar strength continues, could intensify if Fed appears hawkish; Questionable yen intervention result; more action over the next sessions? Bitcoin fights for $60k level; oil in retreat despite Middle East headlines

Bitcoin, MetaStock, Aussie dollar, and gold fell. Oil prices dropped, Canadian dollar weakened. Ex-Binance CEO jailed. Key events: UK's 10y Bond Auction, US ADP Employment Change, Japan's BOJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes, Japan's Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI, Dutch Market Manufacturing PMI, Dutch Retail Sales.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: A new stage of Bitcoin's decline