Global stocks edged lower Thursday, as investors waited for more clues on the timing of the first increase in U.S. interest rates in nearly a decade when the minutes of the September meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve are released later in the day.

The Stoxx Europe was mostly flat in early trading.

Asian bourses were also mostly lower, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index off 1%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average was also down 1%, pulling back from a winning streak that has boosted Japanese shares to their highest level in almost a month.

China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 3% Thursday, as it caught up with a rally in global equities after a week-long holiday.

Also later Thursday the Bank of England will announce its monetary policy decision, with investors largely expecting the central bank to keep rates on hold.

The likelihood of a more hawkish tone from the central bank fell after disappointing economic data last week, said UniCredit strategist Vasileios Gkionakis.

Investors in Europe are also waiting for accounts of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting due later in the day. Data showed Thursday that German exports registered their steepest fall in nearly seven years, adding to pressure on the central bank to extend its stimulus program for the economy.

In its September meeting, the Fed decided to keep interest rates anchored to ultralow levels. Expectations that the Fed will hold off on raising interest rates following weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data have buoyed global markets in recent weeks, as investors now expect accommodative monetary policy to remain in place for longer.

In currencies markets, the dollar fell slightly against the yen to trade around ¥ 119.71. The euro was up 0.5% against the dollar at $1.1265.

Brent was recently trading around 52.36 a barrel, up 1.12% on the day, while gold fell 0.4% at $1141,50 an ounce.

Write to Riva Gold at riva.gold@wsj.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 08, 2015 05:15 ET (09:15 GMT)