German import prices fell at the fastest pace in more than six years in April on slipping energy prices.
The Bureau of Statistics business indicators data for the March quarter, showed a mixed outcome. The bad news was an unexpected slump in gross operating profits at Australian firms.
Japanese retail sales dropped in April for the second consecutive month, on the back of falling fuel prices and lower sales of household electronics, bolstering the argument that a nationwide sales tax increase scheduled for April next year should be delayed.
The US economy slowed in the first quarter although not as sharply as initially thought, amid a surge in spending on home building and a steady increase in inventory investment by businesses.
Japan's Consumer Price Index dropped for a second straight month in April as weak consumption discouraged firms from raising prices and central bank Governor Haruhiko Kuroda struggles to spur inflation with record asset purchases and negative interest rates.
British economic growth lost steam in the first quarter on the background of unexpected contraction in business investment.
In April, domestic manufacturers were negatively affected by weak news, though some recently published mixed industrial reports.
Private capital expenditure in Australia dropped more than expected in the first quarter, a further sign the risks for Australia's March quarter GDP data appear to be building to the downside.
The Bank of Canada announced that it decided to keep its target for the overnight rate at 0.50%, indicating that a strong start to the year will disappear quickly on the background of the weak second quarter results.
The US crude inventories dropped last week, posting the biggest weekly decline in seven weeks, due to the falling import, which forced refiners to cut output.
German business confidence improved more than expected in May, hitting its highest level in five months, and supporting optimism that Euro zone's biggest economy will extend its surprisingly strong start to the year into the second quarter.
New Zealand posted a bigger-than-expected trade surplus in April as increased volumes of gold kiwifruit and apples boosted shipments of fruit, the country's fourth-biggest export product.
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney defended the central bank's decision to highlight the risks of exiting the European Union, coming under renewed accusation from a lawmaker, who has been attacking Carney brutally on his role in the Brexit debate.
US new-home sales surged the most in more than eight years while prices advanced to a record level, pointing to healthy demand alongside limited supplies across the housing market.
German investor confidence declined for the first time in three months in a sign that the Euro zone's number one economy is set to slow after growing at its strongest pace in two years.
The Reserve Bank of Australia's outgoing Governor Glenn Stevens defended the central bank's inflation target amid calls from some economists to сut the interest rate amid persistently low inflation around the globe.
Business activity in the US manufacturing sector continued to decline in May with new orders increasing at the slowest rate so far this year, as manufacturers have been hit hard by a stronger US Dollar and tepid global demand.
An important economic indicator of the Euro zone's economic health dropped in May to its lowest level in 16 months despite the efforts of the ECB to boost growth and business activity in the region.
Japan's exports dropped in April at the quickest pace in three months as a stronger Yen and weakness in China and other emerging markets take their toll on the country's shipments, denting growth prospects for the current quarter.
Canadian retail sales dropped more than was forecasted in March, after two months of strong gains from February, against the background of consumers who bought fewer cars and home furnishings.
US home resales continued to rise, increasing more than expected in April, as housing demand strengthens alongside gradual job growth and ultra-low interest rates.
The minutes of the April Fed meeting, when the US central bank left interest rates on hold in line with economists' expectations, showed that officials believed the US economy could be ready for another interest rates hike in June.
The Euro zone's current account surplus widened in March from February, according to the European Central Bank.
Canadian wholesale sales declined for a second consecutive month in March, led by lower motor vehicle and food sales.