European stocks finished higher for a fifth straight session Wednesday, drawing support from financials and miners, as markets consolidated after a string of winning sessions. Investors will be watching for the European Central Bank to say next week whether it has decided to increase its stimulus efforts for the eurozone.

U.S. stocks closed higher Wednesday, building on the previous session's advance, partly thanks to a jump in the energy sector following sharp gains in crude. A somber take on the U.S. economy in the Federal Reserve's Beige Book bolstered the view that the central bank is likely to be slow to raise interest rates this year-typically a boon to stock investors hoping for lower-for-longer interest-rate policies.

Most Asian stock markets gained Thursday as rising oil prices and signs of an improving U.S. economy appeared to restore investor confidence. Chinese shares edged up ahead of the National People's Congress, an annual legislative session, which convenes Saturday.

Based on the materials MarketWatch