The Dow Jones industrial average dipped 12.94 points, or 0.10 percent, to 12,824.39 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index edged down 2.29 points, or 0.17 percent, to 1,355.69. But the Nasdaq Composite Index inched up 0.69 of a point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,930.45.

In Europe, shares provisionally closed at a fresh month-high, helped by a rise in bank stocks such as BBVA and Santander, as expectations of new stimulus measures from central banks supported equities.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 0.4 percent to 1,013.89 points, while the Euro STOXX 50 index also advanced by 0.4 percent.

In Asia, Nikkei share average rose as investors bet on a new round of stimulus from the Federal Reserve. The Nikkei climbed 1.1 percent to 8,752.31, its highest closing level since May 17, as risk sentiment picked up and spurred gains for insurance and real estate companies.