In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed flat, with major bourses and business sectors pointing in different directions. Europe’s household goods led the losses, falling throughout the day to close 1.9 percent lower. Unilever was among the sector’s worst performers after the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant reported sales figures that were largely in line with expectations during the first three months of the year. Shares of Unilever closed roughly 2.2 percent in the red. Meanwhile, media stocks rallied during the day’s trade, closing 1.7 percent higher. France’s Publicis Group posted better-than-expected underlying sales growth in the first-quarter on Thursday, supported by a bounce in North American activities. Its shares closed 7.4 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar was little changed against a basket of currencies on Thursday as higher U.S. bond yields and expectations of more rate increases from the Federal Reserve offset worries about a trade war and a ballooning U.S. budget deficit. The euro was last up 0.02 percent, at $1.2374, while the dollar was 0.10 percent higher at 107.34 yen. The pound rose 0.2 percent to $1.4238 after initially falling as low as $1.4161 after British retail sales recorded their biggest quarterly fall in a year during the three months to March when unusually cold weather kept shoppers at home. Against the euro, the pound also recovered and rose 0.2 percent to 86.975 pence.

In Commodities Markets oil prices hit highs not seen since 2014, with U.S. crude edging closer to $70 a barrel, after OPEC producers told Reuters the inventory overhang has largely disappeared and as top exporter Saudi Arabia aims to push prices even higher. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 57 cents at $69.03, after earlier hitting $69.56, their highest since Nov. 28, 2014. More than 530,000 contracts changed hands on CME Group’s NYMEX, compared with an average daily of about 615,000 contracts. Brent crude futures was up 96 cents to $74.44. The global benchmark touched $74.74 a barrel, highest since Nov. 27, 2014.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Thursday, weighed down by a broad-based decline in technology stocks from Apple to chip-makers as well as a decline in consumer staples such as Philip Morris and P&G. The S&P consumer staples sector  declined 3.2 percent as Philip Morris fell 17.4 percent after the tobacco company’s weak results and forecast.  Also weighing was Procter & Gamble, which fell 2.5 percent after the Dow component said shrinking retailer inventories and higher commodities and transportation costs squeezed its margins.The S&P 500 was down 0.58 percent, at 2,692.94 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.73 percent, at 7,241.77.

In Bond Markets Euro zone bond yields jumped to one-month peaks on Thursday as oil prices climbed to their highest level since late 2014, raising the prospect of upward pressure on inflation. Ten-year bond yields, which move in the opposite direction to the price, rose 5-7 basis points in late trade with those in Germany, France, Austria and Ireland all rising to around one-month highs. Germany’s 10-year bond yield jumped to 0.60 percent and was set for its biggest one-day jump since September. French yields rose to 0.84 percent and were poised for their biggest one-day rise since September.