European stock markets faced difficulties gaining momentum on Thursday, with bond prices declining, as economic activity surveys hinted at the increasing likelihood of a recession in the eurozone.
The euro and yen made slight gains as the dollar retraced its Wednesday advances.
US equity futures remained relatively unchanged on Thursday, Treasury cash trading was halted due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Japanese markets were also closed.
Meanwhile, the discord within OPEC+ led to a postponement of an upcoming meeting, dampening expectations of additional production cuts by the Saudi-led alliance. This development pushed Brent crude below the $81 per barrel mark following a volatile session on Wednesday that witnessed price fluctuations of over $4. West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading around $76.

Asia Pacific
In the Asia-Pacific region, markets exhibited mixed performance following a broad-based rally on Wall Street ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index declined by 0.62%, closing at 7,029.2, extending losses from the previous day. Flash estimates from Judo Bank indicated a faster contraction in business activity in Australia for November, with the composite purchasing managers' index dropping to 46.4 from October's 47.6.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar remained near recent highs, consolidating its position.

Japan's markets remained closed due to a public holiday.

Europe
In Europe, stock markets also displayed mixed trading on Thursday, as investors sought direction, while US markets remained closed.
Despite the ongoing decline in oil prices following the postponement of a crucial OPEC meeting, oil and gas stocks gained 0.95%.
Preliminary purchasing managers' index data for the eurozone in November revealed a decline in employment for the first time in nearly three years. Business activity continued to contract, although the rate of contraction slowed in terms of output and new business.

The British pound strengthened on Thursday after U.K. business activity defied expectations by returning to growth in November. Sterling gained ground against the US dollar. Regarding the euro, it appeared to encounter resistance around the 1.0920 level against the greenback.

America
In the United States, stock markets remained closed on Thursday, November 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, marking one of the final market closures on the 2023 holiday schedule, excluding Christmas Day.