British retail sales grew slightly less than expected in the run-up to Christmas and the outlook for January sales figures was weak, according to the Confederation of British Industry's survey.
European Central Bank member and Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann predicted the economic recovery in the Euro zone to pick up marginally next year, but not by enough to lower unemployment.
New Zealand businesses marked an optimistic end to 2015, with confidence surging to the highest level since April as recent economic data pointed to robust growth in the year ahead.
The Bank of Japan surprised market participants by announcing its intentions to increase purchases of exchange-traded funds and prolonging the maturity of bonds it buys to boost investment in the economy.
Canada's inflation rate accelerated in November to the fastest pace in a year as higher gasoline prices dropped out of annual calculations, bringing the key gauge closer to the Bank of Canada's 2% goal.
After seven years of maintaining the federal funds rate near zero, the Fed announced its first rate hike in almost a decade, signalling its growing confidence in the world's number one economy.
Sales at British retailers rose more than expected in November amid promotion campaign in the run up to Black Friday.
German business confidence unexpectedly weakened in December amid some concerns over the domestic economy.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, a sign of the labour market's health.
New Zealand's economy expanded more than economists had predicted in the third quarter, driven by manufacturing and retail spending, which compensated for a decline in milk powder production.
Japan's exports declined in November at the fastest pace in almost three years, as shipments to Asia fell in a worrying sign that sluggishness in overseas demand could derail economic growth.
British unemployment fell to pre-crisis levels in the three months through October, whereas pay growth continued to slow, bolstering the Bank of England's intention to keep interest rates ultralow.
Manufacturers in the Euro zone are enjoying a solid end to 2015, with a corresponding measure advancing in December to the highest level in almost two years.
After seven years of maintaining the federal funds rate near zero, the Fed announced its first rate hike in almost a decade, signalling its growing confidence in the world's number one economy.
New Zealand's current account shortfall widened in the third quarter to NZ$4.75 billion following a revised deficit of NZ$1.17 billion in the June quarter, Statistics New Zealand reported.
Manufacturing sales in Canada dropped for the third month in a row in October as the global oil glut continues to undermine industry production and revenue.
British inflation rebounded slightly in November after being in negative territory for two months in a row.
German investor morale continued to improve amid increasing confidence that the Euro zone's number one economy is strong enough to weather the refugee crisis and the economic slowdown in China.
All eyes are now on long-anticipated Fed's decision later in the day, with increasing chances (81.4% of probability) of a rate hike, the first in nine years.
The Reserve Bank of Australia painted a rosier picture of the nation's economy and seemed in no rush to deliver another interest rate cut.
Minouche Shafik, Bank of England Deputy Governor, said she would not vote for an interest rate hike if there is no evidence of sustained growth in wages.
Euro zone industrial production recovered in October following two months of declines.
China's industrial production increased more than expected in November, suggesting government stimulus measures may be starting to drive a mild recovery in the world's second biggest economy.
Business confidence in Japan held steady and companies kept their bullish spending plans, offering some relief to policy makers, who remained concerned that global headwinds could derail a fragile economic recovery.