Japanese stocks were little changed on Monday after higher commodity prices offset decrease in U.S. home sales. The Nikkei 225 gained 0.07%, or 6.77, to 10,018.24. The broader Topix retreated 0.08%, or 0.71, to 851.82.
U.K. stocks rose on Monday after a report showed that German Ifo business confidence rose to an eight-month high in March. The benchmark FTSE 100 index advanced 0.82%, or 47.81 points, to 5,902.70.
The U.S. economy needs to grow more rapidly to bring the unemployment rate down, said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The decline in unemployment to 8.3 per cent may reflect "a reversal of the unusually large layoffs that occurred during late 2008 and over 2009," Bernanke said in a speech Monday.
Japanese stocks tumbled on Friday after reports showed European manufacturing and services shrank more than expected. The Nikkei 225 retreated 1.14%, or 115.61, to 10,011.47. The broader Topix fell 1.11%, or 9.54, to 852.53.
Swiss stocks fell for a fifth consecutive day on Friday, after a report showed purchases of new homes in the U.S. declined.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, erased 0.15%, or 9.23 points, to 6,240.33. The broader Swiss Performance Index lost 0.09%, or 5.07 points, to 5,717.71.
Number of approved mortgages in the U.K. fell to a nine-month low, a sign the housing market is struggling. Major banks approved 33.1 thousand mortgages in February, down from 38 thousand in January.
Sales of new U.S. homes declined unexpectedly in February for a second straight month, said the Census Bureau on Friday. The number of new houses sold slid to an annual rate of 313 thousand from 318 thousand in January.
European stocks closed little changed on Friday.
Japan posted first trade surplus in five months in February, adding to evidence the economy is growing. The surplus stood at 32.9 billion yen (302 million euros), the Ministry of Finance said.
Swiss stocks fell for a fourth straight day on Thursday, after reports showed that manufacturing and services contracted in the euro zone.
U.K. retail sales declined more than forecast in February, said the Office for National Statistics. Total retail sales fell 0.8 per cent from January when they rose a revised 0.3 per cent.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits fell to 348 thousand in the week ended March 17 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Euro area services and manufacturing output fell by more than expected this month, a sign the economy has slipped into recession.
Japanese stocks ended Wednesday's session in the red on concern China's economy is slowing.
Swiss stocks were little changed on Wednesday after a report showed U.S. existing home sales fell.
British public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in February, said the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday. Net borrowing rose by 15.2 billion pounds and now stands at 110 billion pounds for the fiscal year which ends in April.
Existing home sales unexpectedly fell in February to an annual rate of 4.59 million from 4.63 million in January, said the National Association of Realtors. Still, home sales for the three prior months were the best in five years.
Citigroup Inc. chief economist Willem Buiter said Spain is close to default and Portugal, Ireland and Greece may need additional financial rescue packages.
Japanese banks were closed on Tuesday in observance of Vernal Equinox Day.
Swiss stocks extended losses on Tuesday, led by decline in financial shares.
U.K. inflation eased to 3.4 per cent in February from 3.6 per cent in January, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday. The Bank of England's target for inflation is 2 per cent.
U.S. housing starts declined slightly in February, but the biggest increase in building permits in more than three years shows the industry is recovering. Housing starts fell 1.1% to an annual rate of 698,000 last month. Permits to begin new construction rose 5.1% in February to an annual rate of 717,000.
European stocks edged lower on Tuesday led by carmakers.
Japanese stocks rose slightly on Monday.