European stocks finished at their lowest level in nearly two months Thursday, rattled as investors questioned the U.S. Federal Reserve's outlook for monetary policy as signs of flagging consumer demand have cropped up.

U.S. stocks retreated Thursday as large-cap names in the technology sector extended losses, but major indexes finished off of their intraday lows. A more hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday continued to contribute to the cautious mood, as did reports that a special counsel was investigating whether President Donald Trump obstructed justice, inserting a new bit of political uncertainty into markets.

Equity markets across Asia moved higher on Friday, shrugging off technology-led declines overnight in the U.S., as a stronger U.S. dollar boosted export stocks in the region.