Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday. The yen touched 81.67 versus dollar, the lowest level since May 31.
Swiss stocks closed mixed on Monday after the Group of 20 rejected calls to boost the International Monetary Fund's resources to combat the region's debt crisis.
Japanese stocks rose for a third consecutive day on Friday after a report showed U.S. unemployment claims remained unchanged at 351 thousand, a sign the U.S. economy is on the rebound.
Swiss stocks fell on Friday, led by Nestle SA, Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG.
The U.K. gross domestic product fell 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter, after expanding by 0.6 per cent in the previous three months, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday.
U.S. consumer confidence improved to a year high in February as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, estimated the Thomson Reuters / University of Michigan. An index of sentiment rose to 75.3 from 72.5 in January.
German economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2011 as exports fell, announced the Federal Statistics Office on Friday. Exports dropped 0.8 per cent after increasing 2.6 per cent in the third quarter.
Japanese stocks rose for a second day on Thursday as the Yen declined to its lowest versus the Greenback in seven months, boosting the outlook for exporters.
Swiss stocks rose slightly on Thursday after German business climate improved unexpectedly.
The number of approved mortgages rose to 38.1 thousand in January, the highest in two years, from 36.6 thousand in December, shows the data published by the British Banker's Association on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits remained unchanged at 351,000 thousand in the week ended February 18 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
German business confidence improved more than expected in February, defying fears that the euro zone's largest economy has slipped into recession. Ifo business climate index, which is based on a survey of 7,000 executives, rose to 109.6 points from 108.3 points in January.
Japanese stocks rose on Wednesday, led by carmakers including Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota edged higher 1.8 per cent to 3,380 yen. Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-biggest carmaker by market value, gained 2.3 per cent to 814 yen.
Swiss stocks declined for a second day after a report showed Euro zone business activity shrunk in February.
Monetary Policy Committee members were split over the size of their latest economic stimulus, showed the minutes of the February 8-9 meeting published on Wednesday.
U.S. home sales rose in January to the highest level since May 2010, a sign the housing market is regaining its footing. Existing home sales rose 4.3 per cent to a 4.57 million annual rate from a revised 4.38 million in December, said the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday.
Japanese stocks fell on Tuesday even after euro area finance ministers agreed to a 130 billion euro Greek bailout.The Nikkei 225 shed 0.23%, or 22.07 points, to 9,463.02. The broader Topix erased 0.33%, or 2.74, to 816.29.
Swiss trade surplus narrowed to 1.55 billion Swiss francs in January from 2.01 billion francs in December, estimated the Federal Statistical Office. Despite the contraction, exports rose hefty 3.6 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
U.K. government posted the largest budget surplus since 2008 in January. Revenue exceeded spending by 7.75 billion pounds, announced the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Tuesday after Greece won a second bailout from Europe and the International Monetary Fund.
European leaders agreed on a 130 billion euro bailout package for Greece on Tuesday after forcing the nation to commit to additional austerity measures and private debt holders to take greater losses.
U.K. house prices rose sharply in February, said the nation's largest property website Rightmove.co.uk on Monday. Average asking prices rose to 233,252 pounds, up by 4.1 per cent from January, the highest monthly increase since April 2002. Prices in the U.K. capital rose 2.5 per cent from January to 449,252 pounds.
Japan's trade deficit widened in January as a strong yen hurt exporters and fuel imports rose after shutdown of most of 54 nuclear reactors. The deficit came to 1.48 trillion yen, estimated the Ministry of Finance.
Swiss stocks edged slightly higher on Monday, led by UBS AG and Credit Suisse Group AG, the nation's largest lenders amid hopes Euro area finance ministers will approve a second bailout package for Greece.