U.S. import prices increased more than expected in March, 1.3 per cent, reflecting higher fuel costs, the Labor Department said Wednesday.
Spanish "market conditions are not justified," said ECB Executive Board member Benoit Coeure on Wednesday. "Will the ECB intervene? We have an instrument, the securities markets program, which hasn't been used recently but it still exists."
The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy on hold Tuesday to counter deflation. The central bank also kept the benchmark rate unchanged between zero and 0.1 per cent.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, retreated 1.66%, or 102.06 points, to 6,061.43. The broader Swiss Performance Index lost 1.66%, or 94.26 points, to 5,576.06.
The benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 2.24%, or 128.12 points, to 5,595.55. The FTSE All-Share Index lost 2.21%, or 65.69 points, to 2,911.34.
U.S. stocks extended losses on Tuesday as Spain's plan for more austerity failed to halt drop in bond prices.
Spain's efforts to calm investors with 10 billion euros in savings on education and health spending failed to stem concerns the nation may need additional capital if the economy weakens more than expected.
Japan posted a current account surplus in February, said the Ministry of Finance on Monday. The surplus stood at 1.1778 trillion yen and followed a deficit of 437.3 billion yen in January.
Swiss stocks were little changed on Thursday. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, lost 0.05%, or 3.30 points, to 6,163.49 on Thursday. The broader Swiss Performance Index retreated 0.01%, or 0.40 points, to 5,670.32.
U.K. shares edged slightly higher on Thursday. The benchmark FTSE 100 index advanced 0.35%, or 19.90 points, to 5,723.67. The FTSE All-Share Index gained 0.34%, or 10.01 points, to 2,977.03.
The Standard & Poor's 500 tumbled by 1.14%, or 15.88 points, to 1,382.20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average erased 1.00%, or 130.55 points, to 12,929.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined by 1.08%, or 33.42 points, to 3,047.08.
Shares closed mixed on Thursday. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.12 per cent to 259.07. Germany's DAX Index retreated 0.13 per cent and France's CAC 40 Index gained 0.19 per cent. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index rose 0.35 per cent to 5,723.67.
Japanese stocks retreated for a third consecutive day on Thursday, after yields on Spanish bonds soared.
Swiss stocks were little changed on Thursday.
U.K. manufacturing output fell by the most for 10 months in February, said the Office for National Statistics on Thursday. Factory output plunged 1 per cent from January, casting doubt on the nation's economic recovery.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 357 thousand in the week ended March 31 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Demand for Spain's debt tumbled on Wednesday and the nation only sold 2.59 billion euros of bonds, just above the minimum amount it planned. The average yield on five-year bonds rose to 4.319 percent from 3.376 percent the previous month.
Australia's unexpected trade deficit amid Federal Reserve's decision to abandon additional monetary stimulus sent the Nikkei 225 index 2.29% or 230.4 points lower to 9,819.99, the sharpest daily drop since November 2011.
Swiss stocks fell on Wednesday as Federal Reserve's last meeting minutes diluted hopes for extra monetary stimulus amid climbing Spanish borrowing costs. The Swiss benchmark index SMI shed 1.09% or 68.28 points to 6,190.38.
Halifax House Price Index has increased by 2.2% in March after a -0.4% contraction in February.
Federal Reserve policymakers believe that improving US economy reduces the need for further monetary accommodation, with reference to minutes of the central bank's March meeting.
Spain's cost of borrowing surged after the first auction since the country presented its austerity budget. Yields on 10-year sovereign bonds soared by 11 basis points to 5.52%. The country sold 2.6 billion Euros of debt, close to the minimum target, as demand weakened after effect of LTRO started to fade and concerns over Spain's financial position escalated.
Japanese stocks retreated on Tuesday.
Swiss stocks retreated on Tuesday as returns on Spanish government securities rose and U.S. factory orders increased less than forecast.