German economy expanded at a faster pace than economists forecast in the second quarter, helped by strong exports and household spending. Gross domestic product increased by 0.3 per cent from the prior quarter, Federal Statistics Office data showed on Tuesday.
Japan's economy expanded by 0.3 per cent from the previous quarter or at annualised rate of 1.4 per cent in the second quarter, said the Japan's Cabinet Office on Monday. Annualised growth fell well short of economists' forecasts of 2.3 per cent growth rate.
Swiss stocks lost ground on Friday after a report showed that China trade surplus narrowed to less than expected $25.1 billion in July, a sign the global economy is slowing.
Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said the sovereign debt crisis in Europe is far from being resolved, few days after the Bank of England cut its growth forecasts and told the national economic outlook is "unusually uncertain."
Import prices in the world's largest economy unexpectedly fell for a fourth straight month in July, pushed down by lower fuel and consumer goods prices. Overall import prices retreated 0.6 per cent, after declining 2.4 per cent in June, said the Labor Department on Friday.
Inflation in Europe's largest economy remained unchanged at 1.7 per cent in July, compared to the prior month, national statistics office Destatis data showed on Friday. The cost of living increased by 0.4 per cent on a monthly basis, pushed by higher holidays and petrol costs.
Japanese stocks lost ground on Friday after company earnings came in worse than expected.
Swiss stocks advanced on Thursday after Nestlé SA, the world largest food company by sales, reported earnings that beat analysts' forecasts.
U.K. house prices rose in July to the highest level since 2008 helped by increased property prices in London, said the Acadametrics Ltd. The average cost of a home in the U.K. rose to 225,760 pounds, up by 3.2 per cent from the same period the previous year.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits declined to 361,000 in the week ended August 4 from 367,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
The majority of European stocks advanced further on Thursday after a report showed China's inflation cooled, boosting hopes the national central bank may ease monetary policy.
Japanese stocks rose for a third day on Wednesday as the Yen weakened and amid speculation the Fed is ready to act to spur growth.
Swiss stocks were little changed on Tuesday.
The U.K. industrial sector contracted less than economists forecast in June, adding to hopes the economic growth in the second quarter could be revised upwards. Industrial output declined 2.5 per cent, said the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks extended gains on Tuesday amid better than forecast company earnings and hopes central banks will take measures to stimulate global economic growth.
Greece's CCC credit rating was revised from stable to negative on concern the economy is worsening, said the Standard and Poor's on Tuesday. The Greek economy may shrink as much as 11 per cent this year and in 2013.
Japanese stocks extended gains on Tuesday amid optimism the European Central Bank will resume bond purchases.
Swiss stocks edged slightly higher on Monday.
U.K. house prices edged lower in July, said the Lloyds Banking Group Plc Halifax mortgage-lending unit on Monday. Prices fell 0.6 per cent to an average of 161,094 pounds, after rising a downwardly revised 0.8 per cent in June.
U.S. stocks closed in green on Monday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government agreed on the European Central Bank's bond-purchase plan.
Investor confidence in the Eurozone dropped less than expected in August, said Germany's Sentix research institute on Monday. An index measuring sentiment retreated to minus 30.3 from 29.6 the prior month.
Japanese stocks edged higher on Monday after better than expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls eased concerns the world's largest economy is slowing.
Swiss stocks rose on Friday after a report showed the U.S. economy added more jobs than economists forecast.
U.K. service sector output only grew slightly in July from the prior month, according to a Markit survey. The Markit/Cips services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 51 from 51.3 in June, said the company on Friday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.