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.
U.K. retail sales rose in December as retailers offered Christmas discounts to lure shoppers. The volume of retail sales increased 0.6 per cent from November and 2.6 per cent, compared to the same period last year, said the Office for National Statistics on Friday.
Sales of existing U.S. homes rose for a third consecutive month in December, a sign the housing market is gaining momentum. Purchases grew 5 per cent to a 4.61 million annual rate, said the National Association of Realtors on Friday.
The euro zone's debt crisis will remain unresolved, even if Greece defaults in the forthcoming months, believes Marc Ostwald, senior strategist at Monument Securities.
Japanese stocks closed higher on Thursday after the International Monetary Fund said it aims to extend lending facilities by $500 billion. The Nikkei 225 rose 1.04%, or 89.10 points, to 8,639.68, while the broader Topix gained 0.78%, or 5.70, to 740.68.
Swiss stocks edged higher for a fourth consecutive day to their highest level in more than six months on Thursday after solid bond auctions conducted by France and Spain.
U.K. consumer confidence slid in December as consumers became less optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, estimated the Nationwide Building Society. An index of sentiment decreased to 38 from 40 in November.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits dropped by 50,000 to 352,000 in the week ended January 14, the lowest level in nearly four years, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
France and Spain, both downgraded by Standard & Poor's last week, paid lower borrowing costs on Thursday, compared to their previous auctions, a sign the ECB's refinancing operation alleviated market concern over the Europe's debt crisis.
Japanese stocks gained on Wednesday, led by oil companies and brokerages. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.99%, or 84.18 points, to 8,550.58, while the broader Topix edged higher 0.47%, or 3.45, to 734.98.
Homebuilder sentiment increased for a fourth consecutive month in January, said the National Association of Home Builders on Wednesday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index rose to 25 from 21 in December. Reading above 50 indicates negative outlook.