European stocks on Thursday ended a choppy session slightly higher, but saw gains capped as the Bank of England hinted rates could rise in coming months, and as disappointing data from China raised questions about the strength of the world's second-largest economy. Traders also appeared cautious about taking on more risk after the latest threats from North Korea.

The Dow closed at a record for a third session in a row on Thursday even as the broader market sagged on the back of weak retail shares. The S&P 500 index SPX, -0.11% shed 2.75 points, or 0.1%, to end at 2,495.62. Consumer sectors were the hardest hit, with Tiffany & Co. down 4.8%, and Kroger Co. KR, -2.16% falling 2.2%.

Asian stocks were broadly lower following North Korea's latest missile launch over Japan, but equities there rose slightly even as the yen strengthened. Moves across markets were largely modest early on, echoing how Asian market participants across asset classes have largely reacted to most of North Korea's missile launches this year. Although there was a brief selloff following the country's nuclear-bomb test earlier this month.