The major European markets closed lower on Thursday as investors reacted to corporate earnings updates, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement that indicated interest rate in the U.S. will remain higher for a longer period.

The Canadian dollar moved up against the U.S. dollar and the euro in the New York session on Thursday.

The pound declined against its major counterparts in the New York session on Thursday.

The Canadian market is up in positive territory around noon on Thursday, led by gains in industrials, real estate and energy sectors. Investors are largely reacting to quarterly earnings updates, and the undertone is a bit firm thanks to comments from Bank of India Governon Tiff Macklem that the central bank is getting closer to start reducing interest rates.

New orders for U.S. manufactured goods surged in line with economist estimates in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The Commerce Department said factory orders shot up by 1.6 percent in March after jumping by a downwardly revised 1.2 percent in February.

Euro up, dollar-yen down, gold spikes, Google steady. Bank of Canada considers rate cut, Fed hints at future rate adjustment. Key economic events: Japan Consumer Confidence, Australia Trade Balance, US Labor Costs, Spain Unemployment Change, US Jobless Claims, Austria Unemployment Rate.

Brent crude oil prices have dropped to $83.95 per barrel on Thursday, marking the lowest level in seven weeks. This decline follows recent US statistics indicating a significant increase in crude oil inventories and production.

Fed appears less hawkish than expected - Dollar and Treasury yields pull back - Yen rallies on another round of suspected intervention - Wall Street trades cautiously ahead of NFPs

On 30 April – 1 May, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) will meet to decide on key interest rates in the U.S. economy. The Fed is expected to leave rates unchanged.

Powell's dovish stance prompted a sharp decline in the strength of the U.S. dollar, while gold prices rebounded on the prospect of a softer dollar.