Australia will on Friday release March figures for home loans, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In February, loans were up 1.6 percent on month and investment lending added 1.2 percent.

After a slightly positive start and a subsequent drop, the Canadian market recovered and edged higher to eventually settle on a firm note on Thursday, as comments from Bank of India Governor Tiff Macklem that the central bank is getting closer to start reducing interest rates aided sentiment.

After staying a bit positive till around mid morning, Swiss stocks struggled for direction till a couple of hours past noon, and then drifted lower to end on a weak note on Thursday. Hotter than expected inflation data, and a report showing a drop in retail sales weighed on sentiment.

The euro dropped against some of major counterparts in the New York session on Thursday.

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.

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.