Global Stocks

European stock markets finished Friday's session by swinging into the red, pulling back as U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen gave nothing away about the path forward for monetary policy in the world's largest economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 index SXXP, -0.12% wrapped up a choppy session by losing 0.1% to 374.07. That move was led by declines for consumer services and telecom shares. But gains for commodity stocks softened a bigger blow for the pan-European benchmark.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday with the main indexes posting solid weekly gains after neither Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen nor European Central Bank President Mario Draghi offered clues about future monetary policy moves in a pair of speeches at a central banker retreat in Wyoming. In speeches at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank's symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Yellen focused on banking regulations and economic improvements in the U.S., while Draghi raised concerns about protectionism. The gathering of global central bankers will continue through Saturday.

Asia-Pacific equity markets struggled for direction after U.S. and European central bankers didn't provide fresh policy guidance, though Hong Kong stocks outperformed on strong corporate earnings. Market participants were watching for implications from developments on U.S. tax policy, in addition to Hurricane Harvey's impact on the global energy market. U.S. gasoline futures rose early Monday.