Swiss stocks extended losses on Tuesday as yields on Spanish government bonds rose to "eye-popping levels" and after U.S. economic growth slowed in the third quarter 2011.
U.K. public borrowing decreased more than expected to 3.4 billion in October from 10.2 billion in September, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday. Economists expected the reading to decline to 4.1 billion.
U.S. economic growth slowed to 2.0 percent in the third quarter 2011 from 2.5 percent the quarter before, said the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Tuesday.
Yields on Spanish government bonds rose to record highs on Monday as election victory by the conservative People's Party failed to calm the markets and after the European Central Bank said it will not purchase bonds in unlimited quantities.
Moody's Investor Service said on Monday that France's top notch AAA credit rating is under pressure amid higher borrowing costs and uncertain economic outlook.
U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly rose 1.4 percent to an annual rate of 4.97 million in October from 4.9 million in September, said the National Association of Realtors on Monday.
U.K. month on month house prices slid 3.1% in November, the most in a year, amid deteriorating debt crisis in Europe and uncertain economic outlook, said the Rightmove, one of the largest real estate portals in the country.
Swiss stocks tumbled on Monday amid worries that U.S. policy makers may not reach a consensus on budget cuts and after Spain selected a new government.
Japan's trade deficit widened to –0.46 trillion yen in October from –0.10 trillion in September, indicating the nation's recovery is slowing from the March disaster, said the Ministry of Finance on Monday.
The European Central Bank may lose credibility if it will conduct large scale intervention in the bond market, said European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Friday. He also urged euro zone governments to kick-start the European Financial Stability Facility bailout fund.
The composite index of U.S. leading indicators rose more than expected in October, said the Conference Board Inc. on Friday. The index gained 0.9 per cent from September, easing worries the largest economy in the world may slide into recession.
U.K. stocks dropped for a fifth consecutive day on Friday, after France and Germany clashed over the role of the ECB in financial crisis management. The benchmark FTSE 100 index edged lower 1.11%, or 60.20 points, to 5,362.94. The FTSE All-Share Index also decreased 1.09%, or 30.47 points, to 2,764.19.
Swiss stocks extended losses on Friday on concern that European top officials don't have a solution to the sovereign debt crisis and after France and Germany clashed over the role of the ECB in financial crisis management.
Japanese stocks edged lower on Friday as car makers slid after Credit Suisse downgraded its rating on the industry. The Nikkei 225 lost 1.23%, or 104.72 points, to 8,374.91, while the broader Topix decreased 1.06%, or 7.73 points, to 719.98.
Germany and France, two key economies of the European Union, clashed over the role of the European Central Bank in financial crisis management, after modest bond sales by Italy and Spain failed to win back investor confidence.
The number of Americans claiming for jobless benefits decreased to 388 thousand last week, the lowest level since May 2011, signaling gradual improvement in the U.S. employment market. Economists expected the reading to advance to 396 thousand.
U.K. retail sales unexpectedly increased 0.6 per cent in October, compared to the previous month, despite faltering consumer confidence, said the Office for National Statistics on Thursday.
Swiss stocks lost ground on Thursday amid higher borrowing costs for Spain and France. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, lost 0.72%, or 41.18 points, to 5,644.62. The broader Swiss Performance Index declined 0.74%, or 38.24 points, to 5,122.25.
Japanese stocks rebounded on Thursday after Olympus Corp. jumped 19% and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. gained 3.6%. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.19%, or 16.47 points, to 8,479.63, while the broader Topix climbed 0.50%, or 3.60 points, to 727.71.
Recently appointed Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti formed a new government on Wednesday to avert collapse of the nation's economy and win back investors' confidence. Members of the government are mainly drawn from private sector and academia with Monti to serve as prime minister and economy minister.
U.S. consumer prices decreased slightly for the first time in four months in October, giving the Federal Reserve opportunity to ease monetary policy in case the economy falters. The prices dropped 0.1 percent, compared to September, said the Labor Department on Wednesday.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose 5.3 thousand to 1.6 million in October, while the jobless rate increased to 8.3 percent, the highest reading in 15 years, said the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
Swiss stocks gained on Wednesday, after Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti formed a new government. The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, rose 0.37%, or 20.89 points, to 5,685.80. The broader Swiss Performance Index advanced 0.26%, or 13.49 points, to 5,160.49.
The Bank of Japan downgraded its economic assessment but left monetary policy unchanged on Wednesday, saying the Europe's debt crisis represents the biggest risk to the country's export led recovery.