Swiss stocks ended Wednesday's session higher after a report showed the U.S. private sector added more jobs than expected.
U.K. shop-price inflation slowed in February as stores cut prices to lure shoppers, the British Retail Consortium said on Wednesday. Retail prices rose 1.2 per cent from the same period last year.
The number of Americans, who have found a job in a private sector rose to 216 thousand in February from 173 thousand the previous month, the ADP Employer Services said on Wednesday.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged today after it allotted 529 billion euros of three-year loans to the banking sector.
Japanese stocks closed lower for a second day on Tuesday after the yen strengthened.
Swiss stocks plunged on Tuesday to a one-month low after a report showed the euro area economy contracted 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter.
U.S. stocks fell on Friday amid global growth concerns.
The European Central Bank's balance sheet rose to a record 3.02 trillion euros for the week ended March 2, after a second long term refinancing operation conducted by the Frankfurt-based ECB.
U.K. house prices edged lower in February, said the Lloyds Banking Group Plc Halifax mortgage-lending unit on Tuesday. Prices fell 0.5 per cent to an average of 160,118 pounds.
Japanese stocks ended Monday's session lower as a strengthening yen dimmed the outlook for exporters.
Swiss retail sales rose 4.4 per cent in January from the same period last year, said the Federal Statistical Office on Monday.
U.K. service sector expanded in February at slower pace, compared to January. The Markit/Cips services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 53.8 from 56.0 in January, said the Markit research agency on Monday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
U.S. service sector expanded in February at a fastest pace in a year. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) advanced to 57.3 from 56.8 in January, said the Institute for Supply Management on Monday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
The euro zone retail sector expanded in January, compared to the previous month. Retail sales rose 0.3 per cent, after declining 0.5 per cent in December, announced the European statistical agency (Eurostat) on Monday.
Japanese household spending fell 2.3 per cent in January from the same period last year and unemployment rose by 0.1 per cent to 4.6 per cent, showed the government data on Friday.
Swiss stocks gained on Friday despite the fact that the European Central Bank overnight deposits soared after the bank allotted 529.5 billion euros in long-term refinancing operation.
The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index for construction jumped to 54.3 in February, the highest since last March, from 51.4 in January, said the Markit research agency on Friday.
U.S. stocks fell on Friday amid global growth concerns.
All but two of the European Union leaders Friday signed a treaty to adopt strict new rules on national deficits and debts. Only Britain and the Czech Republic did not sign the agreement.
Japanese stocks declined on Thursday as the yen edged higher, dimming the outlook for exporters.
Swiss stocks rose on Thursday, led by Adecco S.A., world leader company in the human resources. The company gained 8.5 per cent after announcing better than expected fourth quarter financial results.
U.K. manufacturing grew for a second month in February, adding to signs the economy could avoid recession this quarter. The factory gauge, based on a survey by Markit Economics and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, fell to 51.2 from 52.0 in January, said Markit on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 351 thousand in the week ended February 25 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Euro area manufacturing contracted for a seventh consecutive month, said the Institute for Supply Management on Thursday. An index measuring manufacturing activity rose to 49 in February from 48.8 in January. Above 50.0 indicates industry expansion, below indicates contraction.