European stocks ended a choppy session in moderately positive territory on Wednesday, with shares of Adidas AG pushing higher after a broker upgrade, but energy companies slumping on the back of a renewed selloff in oil prices. Equities had trouble finding their footing after falling on Tuesday for the fifth time in six sessions, with risk appetite dented after North Korea said it successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.

U.S. stocks ended mostly higher Wednesday in post-holiday trade, powered by gains in technology, health-care and financial shares. Trading marked the first full session in July and follows holiday-shortened trade on Monday, with markets closed Tuesday in observance of Independence Day.

Equity markets in Asia struggled for direction early Thursday after underwhelming overnight moves in Europe and the U.S., as investors adopted a collective wait-and-see attitude. Market participants are especially concerned about the repercussions of North Korea's missile launch earlier this week, in addition to a Group of 20 meeting in Germany and Friday's U.S. jobs report.