In European Equity Markets the pan-European STOXX 600 closed up almost 0.2%, with sectors and major bourses largely in positive territory. PMI data for the euro zone came also came in below forecasts, stoking concerns of a slowdown in the region. But investors soon turned their attention to corporate earnings, with results from consumer goods giant Unilever and energy management firm SchneiderElectric beating expectations. The two companies’ share prices rose toward the top of the European benchmark, both up around 3%.

In Currency Markets the U.S. dollar gained on Thursday on strong retail sales data, while the euro was dented by weak manufacturing data in the region. U.S. retail sales increased by the most in 1-1/2 years in March as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles and a range of other goods, the latest indication that economic growth picked up in the first quarter after a false start. A week ago, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi raised the prospect of more support for the struggling euro zone economy if its slowdown persist.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose slightly on Thursday, boosted by a decline in U.S. inventories, ongoing supply cuts from OPEC and its allies, and U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. Brent crude futures were at $71.80 a barrel, up 18 cents from their last close and near Wednesday’s five-month high of $72.27 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $63.83 per barrel, up 7 cents. Both contracts traded slightly lower earlier in the day. U.S. crude inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels in the week to April 12, U.S. EIA data showed on Wednesday.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell slightly on Thursday, ahead of a long Easter weekend, as another decline in healthcare stocks overshadowed gains from industrials after upbeat earnings. The S&P 500 was down 0.06%, at 2,898.63 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.29%, at 7,973.15. Insurer Travelers Cos Inc’s rose 2.6%, providing the biggest boost to the Dow, after its quarterly profit beat estimates. Union Pacific Corp jumped 4.2%, while Honeywell International Inc’s shares rose 3.1% after the industrial companies reported better-than-expected quarterly profits.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields fell on Thursday, undermined by weak manufacturing surveys around the world that boosted concerns about a global slowdown. However, French and German surveys of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector for April showed contraction in activity, pressured yields. U.S. 10-year note yields fell to 2.55%, from Wednesday’s level of 2.59%. Yields on U.S. 30-year bonds were also lower at 2.96% , down from 2.99% on Wednesday. U.S. 2-year yields slipped to 2.37%, down from 2.40% late on Wednesday.