European stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday, deepening losses for the first quarter, with bank shares under pressure while a rise in the euro weighed on exporters.

U.S. stocks finished one of their best-performing months since last October with a whimper, as the main benchmarks closed marginally lower Thursday. Market reaction to a pair of mixed economic reports was muted as investors were cautious on the last day of the quarter as they waited for key labor market data due Friday.

Asian stocks slid as the fresh quarter got under way, with Japanese equities leading losses amid a slump in corporate sentiment. Metals rose after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing expanded for the first time since July.

Based on MarketWatch materials