A U.K. house-price index declined to the lowest level in half a year in April, said the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (RICS). The index fell to minus 19 from minus 11 the previous month.
U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday as Greece's bailout pledge came into question.
German industrial production unexpectedly soared in March, adding to signs the euro zone's largest economy is weathering debt crisis. Production jumped 2.8 per cent from February, when it declined 0.2 per cent, said the Economy Ministry on Tuesday.
Japanese stocks tumbled on Monday after presidential elections in France and parliamentary elections in Greece.
Swiss stocks declined on Monday after Greek electorate turned to anti-bailout parties.
U.K. home prices edged lower for a fourth time in five months, Nationwide data showed last week. Price of a typical U.K. house fell by 0.2 per cent to 164,134 pounds from March, when it declined 1.0 per cent.
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday after Francois Hollande was elected as a French president and Greek voters turned to anti-bailout parties. The Standard & Poor's 500 gained 0.04%, or 0.48 points, to 1,369.58. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.23%, or 29.74 points, to 13,008.53.
German factory orders rose by more than forecast in March, a sign Europe's largest economy is weathering the debt crisis. Order jumped 2.2 per cent in March, after increasing 0.6 per cent in February, said the Economy Ministry in Berlin on Monday.
Banks in Japan were closed on Friday in observance of Constitution Day.
Swiss stocks edged lower on Friday after a report showed U.S. companies added less employees than economists forecast.
U.K. house prices edged lower in February, said the Lloyds Banking Group Plc Halifax mortgage-lending unit on Tuesday. Prices fell 2.4 per cent to an average of 159,883 pounds.
The number of Americans, who have found a job in the private sector in April, tumbled to 115,000 from 154,000 the prior month, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The jobless rate unexpectedly declined to 8.1 per cent, the lowest level in three years.
European stocks extended weekly losses, after a report showed U.S. companies added fewer jobs than expected in April.The Stoxx Europe 600 Index erased 1.76 per cent to 253.00. Germany's DAX Index tumbled 1.99 per cent and France's CAC 40 Index contracted 1.90 per cent. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index lost 1.93 per cent to 5,655.06.
Japan, China and South Korea agreed to increase investment in each others' bonds with the aim to diversify foreign-exchange reserves.
Swiss Economy Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann said he is satisfied with the franc's cap versus the euro and expressed confidence the central bank would defend the policy.
U.K. service sector growth slowed in April, Markit Economics data showed on Thursday. The Markit purchasing managers' index fell to 53.3 in April from 55.3 in May. A number above 50 indicates industry expansion.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits tumbled to 365,000 in the week ended April 28 from 392,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
The European Central Bank held key rate at 1 per cent on Thursday and told it expects a gradual economic recovery this year
"There's no doubt that boosting production globally is positive for the Japanese economy"- Kiyoshi Ishigane, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co.Japanese stocks edged higher on Wednesday, after a report showed U.S. manufacturing expanded more than forecast in April.The Nikkei 225 rose 0.31%, or 29.30 points, to 9,380.25. The broader Topix advanced 0.43%, or 3.38, to 792.87."There's no doubt
"The good U.S. numbers gave the market a major boost at the start of the day"- Benno Galliker, a trader at Luzerner Kantonalbank AGSwiss stocks rose on Wednesday, after a report showed U.S. manufacturing expanded.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.20%, or 12.43 points, to 6,108.77. The broader Swiss Performance
"[Construction PMI data] points to clear, decent construction expansion in April"- Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global InsightU.K. construction sector expanded slower in April, compared to March, showed a survey conducted by Markit. The Markit / CIPS construction purchasing managers' index declined to 55.8, from 56.7 in March. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion."On the face of it,
"Employment growth is slowing"- David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast Inc.The number of Americans, who have found a job in the private sector fell to 119,000 in April from a revised 201,000 in March, the ADP Employer Services said on Wednesday."Employment growth is slowing," said David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast Inc. in New York. "The economy is growing at
"The grim unemployment figures for March will likely encourage talk about a long overdue ‘growth pact' for the euro zone"- Martin van Vliet, an economist at ING GroupEuro area unemployment rose to the highest level since 1997 in March and manufacturing contracted in April, adding to signs the economy is still far from out of the woods. The jobless rate
"The worst catalyst is the strengthening yen. Investors can't get optimistic about the Japanese economy"- Koji Toda, chief fund manager at Resona Bank Ltd.Japanese stocks ended Tuesday's session in red, as the yen strengthened after data showed Spain fell into recession.The Nikkei 225 fell 1.78%, or 169.94 points, to 9,350.95. The broader Topix lost 1.84%, or 14.78, to 789.49."The worst