The monthly U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, due Friday, is the week's main event in the markets following Thursday's monthly policy meeting of the European Central Bank. As expected, the ECB kept its main interest rate unchanged at the record low of 0.75 percent and reiterated a gloomy outlook for the economy of the 17-country bloc that uses the euro.

In his press conference, ECB President Mario Draghi defended the bank's bond-buying plan, indicating it is now up to governments to act. The plan, which has helped shore up markets, has not yet been used by any eurozone government.

Spain is widely expected to request financial assistance but its government has so far been reluctant to do so. Draghi said it remains the job of the Spanish government to ask for help though he praised efforts to get the country's deficit under control.