Confidence among businesses in Europe's largest economy improved slightly this May, however, less than expected, adding to signs the economic outlook worsens as the Euro region remains mired in recession.
Japan's machine tool orders improved slightly last month, suggesting measure introduced by the Bank of Japan are boosting investors' and businesses' confidence.
Sales at Swiss retailers fell more than initially was expected in March, raising concerns that the debt crisis in the neighbouring Eurozone weighed on Swiss consumers, the Federal Statistical Office showed Monday.
Confidence among British companies is improving rapidly, indicating that the economy is reviving and gaining pace.
The better-than-expected improvement in the U.S. retail sales is pointing to underlying strength in the economy, the Commerce Department said on Monday.
The Eurozone economy is most likely to shrink in the first three months of this year, suffering the longest recession since the single currency's creation.
Japan's key business confidence index dropped for a first time in six months in April, as bad weather conditions weighed on demand for spring clothing, the government said on Friday.
British trade deficit narrowed slightly in March, as exports to countries outside the EU rose.
The Fed's Chairman Ben Bernanke warned that risks of shadow banking system persists the and are still posing a serious threat to financial stability, and raised concerns that funding markets might still not be able to deal with a major default.
The pace of hiring in the Canadian economy accelerated in April, albeit slower than expected, signalling the long winter of labour market contraction may be at an end, Statistics Canada said in a report.
Exports from Europe's largest economy increased in March, adding to signs German economy is starting to recover from a contraction at the end of the last year.
Australian labour market improved significantly last month, undermining central bank's efforts to relieve pressure on manufacturers and exporters.
Japan's current account surplus increased to the highest level in a year as weaker Yen brightened the outlook for exporters.
The Bank of England during its monthly policy meeting decided to leave its stimulus programme unchanged and kept the main refinancing rate on hold, as the economy is showing signs of recovery.
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in more than five-years, suggesting the improvement in the labour market, the Labor Department said Thursday.
The number of unemployed people in Portugal soared to a fresh high in the first three months of 2013, the data published by National Statistics Institute showed Wednesday.
Output at German manufacturers improved unexpectedly in March, reviving hopes about the strength of Europe's biggest economy. Production increased 1.2% from February, when it gained 0.6%, the Economy Ministry said Wednesday.
Consumer prices in Switzerland extended their longest slump in at least four decades in April, raising concerns that the debt crisis in the neighbouring Eurozone weighed on Swiss consumers.
Japan's leading indicator declined in March following a strong growth in the previous month, according to data released by the Cabinet Office.
Britain's home prices soared to the highest level in almost three years, helped by low mortgage repayments, which boosted demand for property.
With consumer prices around the half of the Federal Reserve's 2% target, the U.S. central bank is facing a serious test, and some experts even believe that the Fed will have to increase its asset-purchase programme.
Australian borrowers got their first piece of good news this year, as the Reserve Bank of Australia cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low, pushing down the nation's currency that has damaged manufacturing sector and boosted unemployment.
Swiss unemployment rate stood at the highest level in two years in April, adding to fears that the economy remains vulnerable to the strong Franc.
U.K. retails sales recorded the steepest fall in April, trimming an almost year-long streak of improving economic data as the IMF visits London to check health of the U.K. economy.