Sales in Britain's retailers fell more than preliminary was estimated in March, as cold weather during the month depressed purchases of clothing and household goods.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment was little changed last week, easing fears of a marked deterioration in the labour market conditions after a surprise stumble in job growth last month.
The Bundestag lower house voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to grant Cyprus a 10 billion euro bailout, in order to avert bankruptcy for the tiny Mediterranean island nation and keep it in the Eurozone.
Economic expectations in Switzerland soared to the three-year high in April, rebounding from previous month slowdown and continuing its race to catch up, which had started in October 2012.
Japan posted the ninth consecutive monthly trade deficit of 362.4 billion yen ($3.69 billion) in March, as weak Yen pushed up import prices, whereas declines in the nation's currency made exported products more competitive in foreign markets.
Britain's unemployment rate edged higher in the three months to February, while the number of people asking for jobless benefits unexpectedly dropped in March, sending mixed signals about nation's labour market.
The unemployment rate in the world's largest economy is expected to fall to 7.0% level by the end of this year, James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said Wednesday.
The European Central Bank now expects the 17-nation economy to recover gradually in the second half of this year, however, risks are high and the outlook can be revised, Mario Draghi said.
Japan's consumer confidence rose for a third consecutive month in March to the highest level in almost six years, according to data released by the Economic and Social Research Institute Wednesday.
Producer and imports prices in Switzerland remained flat in March from a month earlier, and fell slightly on a yearly basis, reflecting manufacturers' concerns about future economic performance of the country.
Britain's consumer prices held steady last month, extending its run above the Bank of England's target of 2% and maintaining a squeeze on consumers.
Consumer inflation pressures eased in March, while industrial output in the U.S. fell, suggesting the Fed should continue its stimulus programme in order to boost growth in the world's largest economy.
Confidence among German investors plunged more than initially was estimated in April, amid fears about the finances of Slovenia, Portugal and Italy.
Switzerland is expected to reject the EU scheme for mandatory data exchange on bank accounts, said Ueli Maurer, the country's President.
Japan's industrial production improved for a third consecutive month, suggesting a weaker Yen and gains in share prices helped improve firms' production activity.
Britain's home sellers increased asking prices for a fourth month in a row in April, amid a shortage of properties for sale, according to Rightmove Plc.
Homebuilder confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly fell for a third consecutive month in April, subdued by increasing costs for materials and financing restrictions.
The 17-nation economy posted a trade surplus in February, however, the positive balance was helped by lower demand for imports rather than export growth, the European Union statistics office Eurostat said Monday.
Australia's unemployment rate jumped in March to the highest level in more than three years and is expected to increase further, adding to bets the nation's central bank will cut its key interest rate.
Activity within the Japanese tertiary sector rose more than expected in the second month of 2013, indicating that consumers are getting less anxious over the world's third largest economy's outlook, as the government pledged to boost growth and latest measures by the BOJ boosted consumer confidence.
Britain's leading indicator improved for the second straight month in February, pointing at the modest recovery and suggesting the U.K. will avoid from falling into a triple-dip recession.
Confidence among Americans tumbled to a nine-month low, while retail sales dropped by the most in nine months, adding to concerns that the world's largest economy is not on the path of recovery yet and the Fed will have to stimulate the economy for a longer time.
The industrial output in the 17-nation economy rose more strongly than expected in February, boosted by a marked gain in energy production, suggesting that the currency bloc is recovering gradually from the severe debt crisis.
The overall jobless rate in Australia soared to its highest level in more than three years last month, tempering views that the economy strengthened in the beginning of the year, spurred by near record-low interest rates.