U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday ahead of Jackson Hole Symposium as investors awaited signals on the next round of quantitative easing.
U.K. banks were closed on Monday in observance of the Summer Bank Holiday.
German business confidence deteriorated for a fourth consecutive month in August to the lowest reading in more than two years, a sign domestic companies are vulnerable to the debt crisis in Europe. Ifo business climate index, which is based on a survey of 7,000 businesses, declined to 102.3 points from 103.2 points in July.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday after Chinese industrial companies reported lower than expected earnings.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies added 0.34% to 6,475.94. The broader Swiss Performance Index rose 0.24%.
The U.K economy contracted less than previously thought, official figures showed. Gross domestic product shrunk 0.5 per cent in the second quarter, said the Office for National Statistics, up from a previous estimate of a contraction of 0.7 per cent.
U.S. core durable goods orders fell in July, adding to concerns manufacturing will contribute less to the economic growth. Orders excluding aircraft and transportation goods dropped 0.4 per cent, said the Commerce Department on Friday.
European stocks were little changed on Friday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece must stick to what it has promised to stay in the Eurozone.
Japanese stocks tumbled on Friday amid concerns European lawmakers are doing little to fight the debt crisis.
Swiss stocks extended losses on Thursday after German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that more time for Greece would not solve the nation's problems.
Retail sales in the U.K. declined in August, said the Confederation of British Industry on Thursday. The index measuring sales declined to minus 3, the lowest level in four months, from 11 in July. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits rose slightly to 372,000 in the week ended August 18 from 368,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Eurozone manufacturing and services output shed for a seventh consecutive month in August, London-based Markit Economics survey showed on Thursday. An index measuring output in both industries rose to 46.6 from 46.5 in July, adding to signs the economic slump is deepening.
Japanese stocks rose on Thursday, after a report showed China's manufacturing activity may contract further in August, boosting hopes for stimulus.
Swiss stocks closed in red on Wednesday ahead of Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
U.K. industrial order expectations worsened in August, a survey conducted by the the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed. An index measuring expectations fell to minus 21 from minus 6 in July.
U.S. existing home sales rose in July helped by record low mortgage rates. Sales of previously owned houses jumped to an annual rate of 4.47 million from 4.37 million in June, said the National Association of Realtors.
European stocks tumbled on Wednesday after Japan published wider than expected trade deficit.
Japan's trade deficit widened in July as the debt crisis in Europe and economic slowdown in China dragged down exports. Deficit in trade came in at 517.4 billion yen, the highest reading ever for the month.
Swiss stocks climbed on Tuesday amid growing hopes of the European Central Bank' action.
U.K. public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in July as corporate tax receipts fell and government spending increased. Public sector net borrowing rose by 557 million pounds to 44.9 billion pounds for the fiscal year started April 1.
Sales of previously owned homes probably increased in July, adding to signs the housing market is improving, claim economists before today's report set to be released at 4:00pm CET.
European stocks closed higher on Tuesday amid hopes the European Central Bank will take actions to address the sovereign debt crisis.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Tuesday ahead of U.S. housing and durable goods data.