European stocks tilted lower at the end of trade Thursday, as investors assessed the European Central Bank's policy stance while they waited for results from the U.K.'s general election. Most major regional indexes darted in and out of positive territory during the day. Overall, utility, financial and basic material shares fared the best, while consumer-related, telecom and health care stocks fell.

U.S. stocks notched meager gains Thursday, but the Nasdaq closed at a record after former FBI Director James Comey's appearance in front of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee concluded without any significant revelations.

Asian stocks started Friday trading mixed, in a wait-and-see mode as exit polls suggested the U.K.'s governing Conservative party failed to keep its parliamentary majority in Thursday's general election there. The polls sent the pound down some 2% versus other currencies, but moves in other markets have been muted. S&P 500 futures were recently down 0.1%.