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.
Swiss stocks fell on Monday, snapping last week's winning streak.
U.K. house prices rose 1.6 per cent to 236,939 pounds in March, announced the Rightmove Plc, owner of the U.K.'s largest residential property Web site on Monday.
Homebuilder sentiment remained unchanged in March from February, said the National Association of Home Builders on Monday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index stayed at 28, the highest level since June 2007.
The euro zone's current account surplus rose to 4.5 billion euros in January, the highest level in almost five years, from 3.4 billion euros in December, said the European Central Bank on Monday.
Japanese stocks advanced for a fourth consecutive day on Friday after reports on employment and manufacturing showed the world's largest economy is expanding.
Swiss stocks rose on Friday, extending gains from the previous seven days of trading.
U.K. stocks edged higher on Friday, led by banking shares.
U.S. industrial production was little changed in February, compared to the previous month, said the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.
European exports rose for a third straight month in January, adding to signs the region is recovering after contraction in the fourth quarter. The 17-nation currency bloc posted a trade deficit of 7.6 billion euros in January, said the European Union's statistics agency Eurostat on Friday.
Japanese stocks ended Wednesday's session higher after a report showed U.S. retail prices rose and the Fed raised its assessment of the world's largest economy.
Swiss stocks gained for a sixth consecutive day, led by financial shares after most of the largest U.S. banks passed an annual stress test.