US stocks start Q2 in green

The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained unchanged at 41,989 points, eroding losses after touching 41,519.

The S&P 500 Index added nearly 0.4%, or 21 points, to 5,633 points. The Nasdaq Composite gained around 0.85%, or 150 points, to 17,449 points.

As for the European indices, the STOXX Europe 600 advanced over 1% to 539.6 points, rising for the first time in five sessions.

The FTSE 100 inched up 0.6% to 8,634 points. The CAC 40 gained 1.1% to 7,876 points, with the DAX 40 rising 1.7% to close at 22,539 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 kept flat at 35,624 points. TOPIX edged up 0.1% to 2,661 points.

On oil, Brent crude futures for June delivery declined by 0.35%, or 28 cents, to $74.49 a barrel.

Similarly, US WTI crude futures for May delivery fell by 0.4%, or 28 cents, to $71.20 a barrel.

Meanwhile, gold futures for June delivery dropped by 0.15%, or $4.30, to $3,146 an ounce.