Nikkei

Japan's Nikkei index closed at a seven-year peak this morning, following a significant purchase of ETFs by the Bank of Japan after Monday's trading ended.

Japanese stocks have rallied to their highest level since November 2007 and the yen has plummeted after the Bank of Japan shocked the market with unexpected new stimulus measures.

UK markets opened lower Friday after a tough session in the US where stocks suffered sharp losses on the expectation of an imminent rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

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US markets continued to edge higher on Wednesday, despite the Federal Reserve's latest minutes suggesting an interest rate hike may come sooner than expected.

Asian markets enjoyed a mixed trading session at the start of the week, oscillating between gains and losses as the latest relief rally comes under pressure.

Markets across Asia and the US climbed on Thursday, following a bout of soft economic data which saw retail sales in the US stall.

Japan's Nikkei fell overnight as concerns over weak US growth figures hit the country's export sector.

While markets across Europe took a break over the long Easter holiday, Asian markets fluctuated between gains and losses, weighed down by expected weak Chinese manufacturing data to be released this week.