Japan's industrial production grew more than expected in January amid higher demand for automobiles and telecommunications devices. Output rose two per cent, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Swiss stocks declined on Wednesday.
U.K. mortgage approvals rose to 59 thousand in January, the highest level in more than two years, announced the British Banker's Association on Wednesday.
The U.S. economy expanded at a faster pace than expected, adding to signs the recovery is gaining steam. Gross domestic product grew three per cent in the fourth quarter, announced the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Wednesday.
The European Central Bank Wednesday allotted 529.5 billion euros in cheap three-year loans to 800 lenders in effort to boost the euro-area economy.
Japan year-on-year retail sales advanced 1.9 per cent in January, after increasing 2.5 per cent in December, announced the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Tuesday. Sales were boosted by surge in demand for cars.
Swiss stocks declined on Tuesday after Ireland said it will hold a referendum on EU fiscal treaty and a report showed U.S. durable goods fell more than expected.
Retail sales index in the U.K. rose in February, said the Confederation of British Industry on Tuesday. The gauge measuring sales edged higher to -2 from -22 in January. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
U.S. consumer confidence rose to one year high in February as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, the Conference Board Inc. said on Tuesday. An index of sentiment advanced to 70.8 points from 61.5 points in January.
Economic confidence in the single currency bloc rose more than expected in February, a sign the economy is recovering after a contraction in the fourth quarter.
U.K. house prices stagnated in February, compared to January, said the Hometrack Ltd., London-based property research company on Monday. The number of potential buyers soared 18 per cent from the previous month.
Month on month sales of previously owned houses rose more than expected in January, a sign the housing market is recovering. The index of pending home resales rose 2 per cent, after declining 1.9 per cent in December, said the National Association of Realtors.
Pavlos Yeroulanos, Cultural & Tourism Minister of Greece, said that the latest bailout agreement could be "destroyed" by statements which criticize Greek efforts to deal with debt crisis.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday. The yen touched 81.67 versus dollar, the lowest level since May 31.
Swiss stocks closed mixed on Monday after the Group of 20 rejected calls to boost the International Monetary Fund's resources to combat the region's debt crisis.
Japanese stocks rose for a third consecutive day on Friday after a report showed U.S. unemployment claims remained unchanged at 351 thousand, a sign the U.S. economy is on the rebound.
Swiss stocks fell on Friday, led by Nestle SA, Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG.
The U.K. gross domestic product fell 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter, after expanding by 0.6 per cent in the previous three months, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday.
U.S. consumer confidence improved to a year high in February as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, estimated the Thomson Reuters / University of Michigan. An index of sentiment rose to 75.3 from 72.5 in January.
German economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2011 as exports fell, announced the Federal Statistics Office on Friday. Exports dropped 0.8 per cent after increasing 2.6 per cent in the third quarter.
Japanese stocks rose for a second day on Thursday as the Yen declined to its lowest versus the Greenback in seven months, boosting the outlook for exporters.
Swiss stocks rose slightly on Thursday after German business climate improved unexpectedly.
The number of approved mortgages rose to 38.1 thousand in January, the highest in two years, from 36.6 thousand in December, shows the data published by the British Banker's Association on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits remained unchanged at 351,000 thousand in the week ended February 18 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.