- Data released on Thursday revealed that the euro-inflation area's decreased less than expected and that underlying price pressures increased to a new record, putting additional pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates. German benchmark bond yields traded little changed above 2.7%, while ecb interest rates are now expected to rise above 4%.

- With swaps markets already pricing a peak fed policy rate of 5.5% in September and some even betting on 6%, the question of how much higher interest rates could rise in the US and the Eurozone is currently in the spotlight. The primary benchmark for the global cost of capital, the us 10-year rates, increased by 40 basis points in February and are now firmly above 4%.

- Oil's three-day winning streak continued as traders weighed fears about tighter US monetary policy against the possibility of a resurgence in Chinese demand.