U.K. house prices declined in July and may fell further, said London-based property-research company Hometrack Ltd. Prices retreated 1 per cent from June, when they stagnated.
The world's largest economy slowed in the second quarter as business invested at a slower pace and consumers cut spending. Gross domestic product rose at an annualized rate of 1.5 per cent in April-June quarter, a decline from downwardly revised 1.9 per cent gain in the first quarter of this year.
Spanish unemployment rate increased to 24.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, the highest level since 1976, from 24.4 per cent in the prior quarter, National Statistics Institute data showed.
Japanese stocks climbed for a second day after Mario Draghi said the ECB is ready to act to preserve the euro.
Swiss stocks rose the most in a month after ECB president Mario Draghi said the central bank will do whatever it is required to preserve the single currency.
U.K. industrial order expectations rose in July, said the Confederation of British Industry. The index measuring total order book balance increased to -6 in July from -11 in June, the highest level in four months.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits fell to 353,000 in the week ended July 21 from 388,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
German consumer confidence will improve in August, forecast market research company GfK SE. Consumer sentiment will climb to 5.9 from 5.8 the prior month, supported by rising wages.
Japanese stocks rose for the first time in five days on Thursday after a report showed a step decline in U.S. new home sales, fuelling speculations about the next round of quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve.
Swiss stocks rose as companies from Lonza Group AG to EFG International AG reported better than expected results.
The U.K. economy contracted more than forecast in the second quarter, said the Office for National Statistics on Thursday. GDP shrunk 0.7 per cent, compared with the previous quarter, driven by weakness in the productions and construction sectors.
U.S. new home sales declined to a five-month low of 350,000 unit annual rate in June after sales rose a two-year high in May, said the Commerce Department on Wednesday.
German business confidence declined more than economists forecast to the lowest level since 2010 as the deteriorating European economy weights on company earnings. Business climate index fell to 103.3 in July from 105.2 the previous month, said the Munich-based Ifo institute.
Japanese stocks retreated on Tuesday.
Swiss stocks declined on Tuesday after Moody's lowered its outlook for Germany and a report showed U.S.
The number of approved mortgages fell to 26.3 thousand in June from 29.6 thousand the previous month, said the British Banker's Association (BBA) on Tuesday. Mortgage market was affected by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Euro 2012 [football tournament], and the wet weather.
Manufacturing in the world's largest economy expanded at the slowest pace since late 2010 in July, shows a poll conducted by financial information firm Markit. Purchasing managers index declined for a fourth consecutive month to 51.8 from 52.5 in June.
German Finance Ministry told Germany will remain Europe's haven after Moody's Investor Services changed the nation's outlook to negative on Monday. It also said Germany remains "in a very sound economic and financial situation."
Japanese stocks fell after Moody's cut the outlook for Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, increasing concerns over the Eurozone debt crisis. The Nikkei 225 retreated 0.2% to 8,492.59. The broader Topix Index slid 0.4% to 717.66.
Along with the most of European markets, the Swiss stock market pulled back due to investors' worries over troubled Spain and Greece.
U.K. stocks declined amid concerns the Eurozone debt crisis is worsening. The FTSE 100 lost 117.9, or 2.1%, sliding to 5,533.87, the biggest 2-day selloff since May.
U.S. government bond yields fell to record lows on concern the Euro bloc's debt crisis is escalating. 10–year bond yields slid to 1.44% after touching a historic low of 1.40%.
Moody's Investors Service downgraded Germany's, the Netherlands' and Luxembourg's Aaa rating to negative with increasing risks of Greek exit from the region as well as likelihood that troubled Italy and Spain will require more financial support being the main reasons for the rating cut.
Japan cut China's economic outlook, lowering its evaluation of Japan's largest trading partner. This is due to a slow expansion in China.