U.S. markets closed lower on Wednesday after disappointing retail sales data showig the steepest drop in almost a year, with losses in the Basic Materials, Consumer Services and Financials losing the most. The DOW JONES index lost -1.06%, 186 points, closing at 17,427.09. The S&P 500 declined by -0.58% with a final quote of 2,011.27, dropping intraday below the level of 2,000 points.

Chinese stock markets rose on Thursday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added +0.86% with a final quote of 24,319.17 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,335.88 points, adding 3.52%. China was reported to have broadened lending rules amid surging loan growth.

Japan's Nikkei advanced +1.86% posting the biggest gains in 4 weeks closing at 17,108.70 points after yesterday's sharp decline. A rebound in oil eased worries about global growth and lifted energy shares and a weaker Japanese yen helped exporters. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said that the bank will maintain stimulus measures until inflation is stable at 2 percent as monetary easing has its intended effects. Core Machinery Orders in November grew less-than expected +1.3%, analysts predicted +4.8%. Year on year Orders declined -14.6%, far more than the forecasted -5.8%.