Swiss stocks declined for a second consecutive day on Friday on concern euro-area leaders have no additional measures to combat the debt crisis.
U.K. month-on-month house prices edged lower 0.9 per cent to 160,063 pounds in December, the lowest level in more than two years, said the Halifax Bank of Scotland on Thursday. Halifax Bank is the unit of London-based Lloyds Banking Group Plc, Britain's No.1 mortgage provider.
U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 8.5 per cent in December from 8.7 per cent in November as employment growth accelerated, offering the evidence the U.S. economy is gaining momentum. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 200,000 last month, the U.S. Labor Department said on Friday.
German factory orders tumbled the most since 2009 in November as the euro area economy headed toward a recession and global demand cooled. Orders declined 4.8 percent from October, when they rose 5 percent, said the Economy Ministry on Friday.
Japanese stocks fell on concern the European debt crisis is escalating as Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said Greece is at "risk of a disorderly default". The Nikkei 225 declined 0.83%, or 71.40 points, to 8,488.71, while the broader Topix decreased 0.90%, or 6.71, to 736.28.
Swiss stocks lost ground on Thursday, snapping five-day rally, on concern European banks will have to raise additional capital.
U.K. service sector grew in December at its fastest pace since July. The Markit/Cips services purchasing managers' index (PMI) advanced to 54 from 52.1 in November, said the Markit research agency on Monday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits dropped to 371 thousand in the week ended December 31 from 387 thousand the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday. Economists expected the number of claimants to decline to 375 thousand.
French long-term bond yields rose on Thursday at its first auction in 2012 as investors are worried the country may lose its top notch AAA credit rating. France sold 4.02 and 2.165 billion euros of 10-year and 30-year bonds at an average rate of 3.29 and 3.97 per cent, respectively.
Japanese stocks rose on the first trading day of 2012 after a U.S. report showed manufacturing sector's growth is accelerating. The Nikkei 225 advanced 1.24%, or 104.76 points, to 8,560.11, while the broader Topix gained 1.97%, or 14.38, to 742.99.
Swiss stocks edged higher for a fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, rebounding from day's losses, after Germany and Portugal sold government securities.
U.K. stocks lost ground on Wednesday after soaring on Tuesday. The benchmark FTSE 100 index lost 0.55%, or 31.46 points, to 5,668.45. The FTSE All-Share Index shed 0.59%, or 17.23 points, to 2,906.40.
Retail sales at shops open more than a year may have increased 4.5 per cent in December, more than expected, as Americans pursued holiday discounts, said the International Council of Shopping Centers in a statement on Wednesday.
Inflation in the euro zone declined for the first time since summer 2011, giving the European Central Bank room for more action. The inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in December from 3 per cent in November, said the European Statistical Office on Wednesday.
Japanese stocks edged higher on Friday amid hopes the U.S. economy is gaining steam. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.67%, or 56.46 points, to 8,455.35, while the broader Topix advanced 0.90%, or 6.49, to 728.61.
Swiss stocks edged higher on Tuesday after a report showed U.S. manufacturing sector accelerated at the fastest pace in half a year in December.
U.K. manufacturing sector contracted modestly in November, according to the data published by the Markit agency on Tuesday. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 49.6 in December from 47.7 in November. A reading below 50 signals contraction.
U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in December, bolstered by growth in orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management's factory index rose to 53.9 in December from 52.7 in November, the company said on Tuesday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
Unemployment in Europe's largest economy decreased by 22 thousand people in December to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.8 per cent, the lowest since 1991, said the Federal Statistical Office of Germany on Tuesday.
Japanese stocks gained on Friday led by signals the U.S. economy is recovering. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.67%, or 56.46 points, to 8,455.35, while the broader Topix grew 0.90%, or 6.49, to 728.61.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.67%, or 39.63 points, to 5,936.23. The broader Swiss Performance Index rose 0.64%, or 33.93 points, to 5,343.52.
The U.K. government plans to do more to help the economy recover, said Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday. It will also use the London Olympic Games to show what the country can achieve despite turbulent times.
U.S. stocks edged lower on the last trading day of 2011. Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 0.43%, or 5.42 points, to 1,257.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.57%, or 69.48 points, to 12,217.56. The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite fell 0.33%, or 8.59, to 2,605.15.
Spain's public deficit for 2012 may exceed initial estimate of 8 per cent of the gross domestic product, said the economy minister on Monday, fuelling concerns the economy faces a prolonged period of contraction.