U.S. equities were mixed at the close on Friday, as gains in the Telecoms, Oil & Gas and Utilities sectors propelled shares higher while losses in the Technology, Financials and Consumer Services sectors led shares lower.

Asian stocks tracked Wall Street losses and edged down in early trade on Friday, but the dollar was buoyant after ending a long losing run ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

World shares edged toward a six-month high on Tuesday, as the biggest jump in Chinese stocks for over two years and an upbeat start for Europe followed Wall Street's best close since January.

European markets traded higher Thursday morning, as concerns over rising trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe showed signs of easing.

Global stock markets were mixed on Wednesday after Wall Street gained on strong corporate earnings amid U.S.-Chinese trade tensions.

UK stocks opened 0.5% higher on Wednesday after a positive assessment of the US economy by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell helped inspire gains across global markets.

U.K. stocks were lower Monday, with mining shares struggling after data showed economic growth slowed modestly in China, putting the London benchmark at risk for its first loss in three sessions.

Fears over higher global barriers to trade sent European stocks to 11-week lows on Wednesday, with little other company and economic news to provide relief from rising protectionism which has hit equity markets hard.

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