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U.S. stocks fell for a second straight day on Thursday and the S&P 500 posted its worst two-day loss since November after reports cast doubt over the health of the U.S. and euro-zone economies.
In Europe, business activity indexes dealt a blow to hopes that the euro zone might emerge from recession soon, showing the downturn across the region's businesses unexpectedly grew worse this month.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.34 percent, to 13,881 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 0.63 percent, to 1,502. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.04 percent, to close at 3,131.
Asian shares edged higher on Friday, recouping the previous day's steep losses, as investors reassessed the Federal Reserve's commitment to its current accommodative policy while weak U.S. and European data clouded growth prospects, limiting gains.
The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent, after tumbling 1.5 percent on Thursday for its sharpest one-day slump in seven months while Tokyo's Nikkei stock average opened 0.6 percent lower.
STOCKS TO WATCH
Jet Airways is likely to remain under pressure as concerns regarding the option to hike stake and number of seats on the Jet Airways board have stalled the Jet-Etihad deal.
TVS Motor is likely to see a red tick as proxy advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services has urged shareholders of TVS Motor Company to oppose the resolution seeking to appoint and fix the remuneration of Sudarshan Venu as whole-time director.
Aurobindo Pharma is set to see a negative start as the company is set to move Tribunal against attachment of its property.
Network 18 Media & Investments will be in spotlight today as the company looks on to sell stake in its business directories -Yellow Pages and ASK Me.
Ansal Properties too may see a negative start as South Delhi Municipal Corporation pulled up the company on non- payment of property tax.
