In European Equity Markets stocks finished higher with shares in Germany leading the region. The DAX was up 0.88 percent while France’s CAC 40 ended up 0.65 percent and London’s FTSE 100 closing flat. The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.5 percent to close at 376.88. Unilever PLC’s London-listed shares gave up 1.7 percent after the AngloDutch consumer-goods heavyweight said it would consolidate its dual headquarters in Rotterdam rather than in London. The decision was made despite last-minute lobbying by the U.K. government. H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB  slid 3.3 percent after the Swedish fast-fashion retailer posted lower-than-expected sales in the first quarter.

In Currency Markets the US dollar rose to a two-day high against a basket of major currencies on Thursday, as traders braced for next week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting at which the Fed is expected to raise interest rates. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.26 percent at 89.937. The Norwegian central bank kept rates on hold at 0.5 percent on Thursday but said it expected to raise rates after the summer, “somewhat earlier” than a previously forecast December hike, pushing the crown to a fresh four-month high against the euro.

In Commodities Markets oil prices edged higher in choppy trade on Thursday, supported by a pickup in equity markets but pressured by expectations that crude supply will exceed demand later this year. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 36 cents to $61.32 a barrel, a 0.6 percent gain. Brent crude futures for May delivery gained 30 cents to $65.19 a barrel. Rising global oil demand, along with supply constraints from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has helped keep oil above $60 a barrel. OPEC on Wednesday raised its forecast for non-member oil supply this year to almost double the growth predicted four months ago.

In US Equity Markets stocks rose on Thursday, lifted by technology companies and as industrials moved higher after the White House trade adviser said tariffs could be applied without provoking a trade war. The S&P industrial index was up 0.73 percent, the best performer among the 11 major S&P sectors and gaining for the first time in fours sessions. Among stocks, Alibaba jumped 4.4 percent on report that the Chinese e-commerce giant was planning to list in China. The S&P 500  rose 0.38 percent to 2,759.98 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3 percent to 7,519.55. Boeing, which investors say may be particularly vulnerable to a trade war, was up a more modest 0.4 percent.

In Bond Markets many bond yields in the euro zone fell to their lowest level since late January on Thursday, pushed down by political uncertainty, fears about a global trade war and expectations for a slow exit from European Central Bank’s stimulus. Across the euro zone, bond yields were down 1-3 basis points on the day. Germany’s 10-year bond yield fell to 0.57 percent , its lowest level in seven weeks. French and Dutch 10-year bond yields also fell to their lowest levels since January. The strong momentum in regional bond markets meant that hefty bond supply from France and Spain was easily absorbed.