Markets Right Now: Europe hesitant ahead of Draghi comments

European stock markets are giving up some of this week's gains ahead of the outcome of the latest policy meeting of the European Central Bank.

Joshua Mahony, market analyst at IG, says "an element of hesitancy is evident within Europe ahead of a clear event risk with the ECB."

Asian stocks rallied Thursday, lifted by a rise in U.S. stocks following an uptick in oil prices.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 2.4 percent to 17,309.44, as exporters' shares gained, since a weaker yen usually tends to boost their profits.