European stocks closed slightly lower on Thursday, after paring losses into close as U.S. stocks rebounded after upbeat data on the labor market. Stocks had opened in deep negative territory, tracking late-session losses in the U.S. on Wednesday that came after minutes from the Federal Reserve's meeting last month suggested more interest-rate hikes are in the pipeline.

U.S. stock futures climbed Friday, building on gains in the prior session amid signs of an increased appetite for perceived riskier assets such as equities. Dow futures rose 160 points, or 0.7%, to 25,175, while S&P 500 futures gained 14.5 points, or 0.5%, to 2,726. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 32.50 points, or 0.5%, to 6,820.50. The Dow and S&P 500 closed higher on Thursday, inspired by upbeat labor-market data and after St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard tried to cool expectations over faster-than-expected interest rates.

Asian stocks advanced in morning trading Friday, rebounding from broad selling a day earlier, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed some of its midweek pullback. Rebounds are a broad theme across asset classes as the week comes to an end. Oil prices rose about 1.5% Thursday, helping Asian energy stocks Friday, while the yen gained momentum yesterday following its own recent pause.