The U.S. gross domestic product rose 2.8 per cent in the last three months of 2011, less then expected, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said on Friday.
Spain's unemployment increased to 22.8 per cent in the last three months of 2011 from 21.5 per cent the previous quarter and surpassed five million mark, said the National Statistics Institute on Friday.
NEC Corporation announced on Thursday it plans to cut 10,000 jobs, almost one-tenth of its workforce, in an attempt to decrease costs as weak global growth and fierce competition reduce demand for its computers and mobile phones.
Swiss stocks gained on Thursday as the Federal Reserve hinted it plans to keep interest rates at record lows through 2014.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.45%, or 27.07 points, to 6,100.43. The broader Swiss Performance Index rose 0.48%, or 26.27 points, to 5,514.98.
U.K. retail sales fell in January, said the Confederation of British Industry on Thursday. The index measuring sales declined to -22 from 9 in December. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits rose to 377 thousand in the week ended January 21 from 356 thousand the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Talks on Greek debt swap resumed on Thursday as European finance ministers pressure private bondholders to take bigger losses on their Greek holdings.
Japan has published first annual trade deficit since 1980 putting into question how long the country can rely on exports to serve a huge public debt.
Swiss stocks erased two-day gains on Wednesday as health-care shares dropped on lower-than-expected 2011 financial results of Lonza Group AG, Novartis and Roche Holding AG.
The U.K. economy contracted 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the previous three months, said the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday.
U.S. month on month pending home sales decreased 3.5% in December, following a 7.3% increase in November, said the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday.
German business confidence improved for a third consecutive month in January, a sign Europe's largest economy may avoid a recession. The Ifo institute's business climate index, based on a survey of 7,000 businesses, rose to 108.3 from 107.3 in December.
The Bank of Japan downgraded Japan's growth outlook but kept monetary policy on hold on Tuesday as strong yen and weak global demand weighed on exporters.
Swiss stocks rose modestly on Tuesday amid Greece's negotiations with private bondholders. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, advanced 0.12%, or 7.43 points, to 6,135.10. The broader Swiss Performance Index added 0.04%, or 2.22 points, to 5,539.01.
U.K. budget deficit decreased to 10.8 billion pounds in December from 15.1 billion in November, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday. Net debt has risen to a record 1 trillion pounds from 883 billion a year ago.
U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday as investors debated whether a three-week rally in equities was warranted. The S&P 500 decreased by 0.10%, or 1.35 points, to 1,314.65. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.26%, or 33.07 points, to 12,675.75.
Standard & Poor's cut credit ratings of four French banks, a move expected by markets after the credit agency downgraded France's top notch sovereign credit rating on January 13.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday as a better than expected housing report from U.S. was partly outweighed by uncertainty over Greece's negotiations with creditors.
International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde warned on Monday that the global economy could slide into a "1930s moment" if Europe does not solve its fiscal problems, and said Europe's largest economy must contribute more money to avert financial collapse.
Swiss stocks closed slightly higher on Monday. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.08%, or 5.00 points, to 6,127.67. The broader Swiss Performance Index rose 0.17%, or 9.15 points, to 5,536.79.
U.K. stocks rose on Monday for the fifth time in six days led by Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Falkland Islands explorer Rockhopper Exploration Plc.
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday as investors debated whether a three-week rally in equities was warranted. The S&P 500 added 0.05%, or 0.62 points, to 1,316.00. However, The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.09%, or 11.66 points, to 12,708.80.
Japanese stocks rose for a fourth consecutive day as French and Spanish borrowing costs decreased and U.S. unemployment claims fell to four-year low.
Swiss stocks dropped snapping four-day gains on Friday. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, shed 1.16%, or 71.78 points, to 6,122.67. The broader Swiss Performance Index declined 1.09%, or 60.71 points, to 5,527.64.