LONDON/TOKYO—Global stocks drifted on Thursday, following skittish trade in the Asian session, as traders awaited crucial U.S. jobs data that may add to mounting evidence of a U.S. slowdown and the likelihood of a global recession.
The broad MSCI index of world stocks dipped 0.1 percent, putting it on track for its first weekly decline in three weeks. U.S. Treasuries stood firm and crude oil weakened.
Equity investors were avoiding strong bets with many global markets heading into a holiday for Good Friday, when monthly U.S. non-farm payrolls data that may clarify the outlook for inflation and interest rates is due….