New orders for U.S. factory orders advanced more than economists forecast in May. New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.7 per cent, said the Commerce Department on Tuesday.
European stocks rose on Tuesday after a report showed U.S. factory orders climbed in May.
Japanese stocks retreated on Monday.
Swiss stocks closed in green on Monday.
U.K. manufacturing sector contracted modestly in June, Markit data showed on Monday. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index increased to 48.6 from 45.9 in May. A reading below 50 signals contraction.
U.S. manufacturing contracted in June for the first time since 2009 as new orders tumbled, a sign the world's largest economy is cooling. The Institute for Supply Management's index of national factory activity fell to 49.7 from 53.5 a month before.
Unemployment in the 17-nation bloc rose to another record in May, a sign the economy is on the brink of recession. Jobless rate climbed to 11.1 per cent in May from 11 per cent the previous month, Eurostat data showed on Monday.
Japan's industrial output contracted 3.1 per cent from the previous month in May, the largest decline since the March 2011 earthquake, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Friday.
Swiss stocks rose for the third day in four on Friday after European leaders agreed on a number of measures to combat the debt crisis.
U.K. consumer confidence failed to improve in June, said GfK NOP Ltd. An index of sentiment remained unchanged at -29 points from the previous month.
U.S. consumer confidence deteriorated in June to the lowest level this year as Americans became less optimistic on the economic outlook. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of sentiment fell to 73.2 from 79.3 in May.
European stocks jumped on Friday after European leaders eased loan conditions for Spanish banks and unveiled a growth plan for the region's economy.
Japan's retail sales rose more than expected in May, said the Trade Ministry in Tokyo on Thursday. Sales gained 3.6 per cent from the same period last year.
Swiss stocks lost ground on Thursday, snapping two days of gains.
House prices in the U.K. edged lower 0.6 per cent to an average of 165,738 pounds in June, after increasing 0.2 per cent in May, said the Nationwide Building Society on Thursday.
A sharply divided Supreme Court upheld President Obama's health-care law Thursday requiring that most Americans get insurance by 2014 or pay a financial penalty, a ruling that gave the White House big win ahead of Obama's re-election bid in November.
Euro area confidence deteriorated to the lowest level since 2009 in June and German unemployment rose more than economists forecast, a sign the euro zone economy is heading towards a recession.
Japanese stocks rose for the first time in four days on Wednesday.
Swiss stocks extended gains on Wednesday after a report showed durable goods orders in the world's largest economy rose more than economists forecast.
Retail sales in the U.K. rose in June boosted by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, said the Confederation of British Industry on Wednesday. The index measuring sales rose to 42 from 21 in May. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
U.S. durable goods orders rose in May for the first time in three months, easing concern the economy is deteriorating. Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years increased 1.1 per cent, said the Commerce Department on Wednesday.
European stocks closed in green on Wednesday after a report showed U.S. durable goods orders rose by more than expected in May and on speculation that China will introduce additional economic stimulus.
Japanese stocks extended losses on Tuesday after Japan's policy makers voted in favour of a bill to double the consumption tax to 10 per cent.
Swiss stocks gained slightly on Tuesday.