The first economic report of 2016 showed business activity in China's manufacturing sector continued to falter for a fifth consecutive month in December, the longest such streak since 2009.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits increased sharply in the week ended December 26, with some of the gains might be attributed to temporary holiday factors.
Contracts to buy previously owned homes in the US dropped in November for the third time in four months, suggesting growth in the housing market may be cooling.
Consumer inflation in Spain, the Euro zone's fourth biggest economy, unexpectedly declined in December, sending another warning signal to the European Central Bank.
US consumer confidence strengthened in December amid robust economic data and falling unemployment.
Retail sales in Spain increased for the 16 consecutive month in November amid a falling unemployment and an improved macroeconomic landscape.
Japan's retail sales declined 1.0% in November from October, marking the first drop in two months, reflecting weak sales of winter clothing due to relatively warm weather and a decrease in fuel sales due to lower gasoline prices.
The European Central Bank is unlikely to increase the size of the 1.46 trillion euro asset-purchase programme in 2016 despite ECB President Mario Draghi comments that additional monetary stimulus is still on the table, according to an annual Financial Times poll.
Japan's core consumer prices climbed for the first time in five months in November, whereas household spending declined, putting the Bank of Japan's view that robust consumption will boost inflation into question.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits declined more than expected last week, adding to signs labour market conditions continued to tighten.
The UK economy grew less strongly than previously estimated in both the second and third quarters, providing the Bank of England with more reason to remain cautious as it ponders when to raise interest rates from all-time low.
Canada's economic growth was unexpectedly flat in October after shrinking a month earlier, due to drop in manufacturing, utilities and retail sales, Statistics Canada reported.
The UK economy grew less strongly than previously estimated in both the second and third quarters, providing the Bank of England with more reason to remain cautious as it ponders when to raise interest rates from all-time low.
Factory orders for long-lasting goods including autos, airplanes and electronics were flat in November, as a strong Dollar and struggling global economy weigh on US manufacturers.
New Zealand trade deficit shrank more than expected in November as exports rose, while imports were also stronger.
Switzerland's trade surplus shrank notable in November as exports dropped, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The trade surplus dropped to CHF 3.14 billion from CHF 4.08 billion in October.
The US economy grew at a slightly slower pace than initially expected in the third quarter.
British retail sales grew slightly less than expected in the run-up to Christmas and the outlook for January sales figures was weak, according to the Confederation of British Industry's survey.
European Central Bank member and Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann predicted the economic recovery in the Euro zone to pick up marginally next year, but not by enough to lower unemployment.
New Zealand businesses marked an optimistic end to 2015, with confidence surging to the highest level since April as recent economic data pointed to robust growth in the year ahead.
The Bank of Japan surprised market participants by announcing its intentions to increase purchases of exchange-traded funds and prolonging the maturity of bonds it buys to boost investment in the economy.
Canada's inflation rate accelerated in November to the fastest pace in a year as higher gasoline prices dropped out of annual calculations, bringing the key gauge closer to the Bank of Canada's 2% goal.
After seven years of maintaining the federal funds rate near zero, the Fed announced its first rate hike in almost a decade, signalling its growing confidence in the world's number one economy.
Sales at British retailers rose more than expected in November amid promotion campaign in the run up to Black Friday.