In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed down 0.5%, with the majority of sectors and major bourses tipping into negative territory. Shares of Thyssenkrupp jumped 5.6% after reports the German conglomerate filed a complaint against the EU’s attempt to block a joint venture with Tata Steel. Danish hospital equipment maker Ambu pared early losses to trade 15.5% lower, still the worst performing stock on the European blue chip index, after its interim third-quarter report and a decision to invest further in a direct sales organization for pulmonology in the U.S.

In Currency Markets the British pound jumped more than half a cent on Thursday to nearly a one-month high after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a solution to the Irish border issue could be found before the Oct. 31 deadline for Britain to leave the European Union. Sterling, trading around $1.2160 earlier, rocketed to as high as $1.2265, before settling around $1.2217, up 0.8% on the day. Against the euro, sterling rose as high as 90.415 pence, a more than 1% rise on the day and its highest since July 29.

In Commodities Markets gold prices fell on Thursday as investors locked in profits, with the focus shifting to Friday’s speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole meeting for clarity on the direction of monetary policy. Spot gold was down 0.5% at $1,494.09 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.8% to $1,503 an ounce. Silver fell 0.5% to $17.03 per ounce, while platinum edged 0.2% higher to $854.54. Palladium eased 0.2% to $1,468.21 an ounce after nearing $1,500 mark in the previous session.

In US Equity Markets stocks rose broadly on Thursday as strong results from retailers bolstered confidence in consumer demand, while investors look ahead to Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell’s speech for more clues on future interest rate moves. The S&P 500 was up 0.32%, at 2,933.80. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.23%, at 8,038.57. Leading gains on the S&P 500 was Nordstrom Inc, up 9.6%, as it joined Target Corp and Lowe’s Cos Inc (LOW.N) in delivering a quarterly profit beat. L Brands Inc fell 11.1% after the Victoria’s Secret owner reported quarterly sales that fell short of estimates.

In Bond Markets Treasury yields rose on Thursday after better than expected manufacturing data in Europe boosted risk sentiment, and as investors waited on a speech by Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell on Friday. Benchmark 10-year notes were down 9/32 in price to yield 1.606%, up from 1.577% late on Wednesday.The two-year, 10-year yield curve inverted last week for the first time since 2007, a signal that a recession is likely in one to two years. The curve also briefly inverted on Wednesday after the Fed minutes were released.