European stocks posted firm losses on Thursday with a crop of lackluster financial results and a slump in oil prices sapped investment appetite. Oil futures, however, slipped into negative territory in the afternoon, dragging European markets down with them.

U.S. stocks finished flat Thursday as an afternoon rebound in oil prices helped shares rise off their session lows. However, a sharp drop in Apple Inc.

Asian stocks dropped as crude oil retreated and technology shares declined after Apple Inc. sank to the lowest since June 2014. Bullish momentum in equities from a February low faltered over the past month, as signs of weakness in the global economy and disappointing corporate earnings heightened concerns over whether central bank officials will be able to effectively boost growth.

Based on MarketWatch materials