The number of people out of work in Europe's fourth largest economy dropped for the fifth consecutive month in July, decreasing pressure on the government and adding to evidence of a nascent economic recovery.
As always Thursday was a determinate day last week, as policy makers across Europe were holding their policy meeting, as well as important statistical data from the U.S. was unveiled in the same day. However, all other days were full of important releases as well.
Manufacturing activity in Australia continues to suffer, contracting for the 25th consecutive month in July, suggesting record-low borrowing costs and a decline in the currency failed to boost exports and domestic demand, raising concern additional stimulus may be needed to boost growth in the country.
The Bank of Japan's transcripts of previous policy meetings, which were disclosed this week, unveiled that a strong sense of crisis was stressed out the BoJ's chief during the extraordinary meeting in March 2003.
During his second policy meeting as a Governor of Bank of England Mark Carney left borrowing costs unchanged at record low and stayed pat on its bond-buying programme, as Carney trains officials' focus on providing forward guidance on monetary policy, cementing economic recovery.
A bunch of upbeat economic data from the world's largest economy was released on Thursday, indicating that companies across the country are now more optimistic and showing willingness to increase hiring and produce more goods.
On Thursday European policymakers in Frankfurt decided to refrain from any additional stimulus measures after recent economic data signalled that the Eurozone economy may be recovering from its longest-ever recession.
A report showing Canada growth for May suggested the country's long run leading the world's biggest economies in growth is at an end.
A closely watched KOF indicator continued leading streak, increasing for a fourth month in July, while a gauge of consumption in Switzerland moved sideways in June, suggesting the pace of growth in the Swiss economy is stable, albeit slower than expected.
Three of Britain's major economists, who took an optimistic view of the U.K. economic data, now believe the country has turned the corner and the pace of economic growth should pick up quickly from here.
A series of upbeat economic reports was published Wednesday, cementing expectations that the recovery from the worst recession in the post-World War II era is now stronger than previously expected.
A cluster of mixed economic data from Europe was released on Wednesday, as unemployment fell for the first time in two years, while consumer prices held steady, providing leeway for the ECB's President Mario Draghi to loosen its monetary policy as the 17-nation bloc is still struggling to pull of its longest-ever recession.
Confidence among New Zealand businesses rose to the highest level in 14 years in July, according to the latest business outlook survey by ANZ.
Japan released worse-than-expected economic data, underscoring the challenges the government faces as it struggles to kick-start the world's third-largest economy.
Confidence among U.K. consumers rose to the highest level in more than three years in July, according to a report by GfK NOP.
U.S. consumer confidence in the economy declined in July, staying close to the almost five-year high.
German consumer morale reached the highest level in almost six years heading into August on the back of a strong labour market and prospects of more robust economic expansion.
Approvals for the construction of new houses declined sharply in June, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday.
The Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda showed little concern that the government's plan to raise the sales tax will derail the nation's economic recovery as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe weigh whether to proceed with this move.
Lending to small and medium sized firms rose at the fastest pace in two years in June, adding to signs that credit conditions are ameliorating for SMEs.
Contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes declined in June, rebounding from a more than six-year high in May and adding to signs that increasing mortgage rates were starting to dampen home sales.
German inflation is likely to slow in July for the first time in three months, indicating price gains in Europe's powerhouse economy remain subdued.
The Labour Party is criticizing the government of favouring overseas investors as it defends its new policy to restrict foreigners buying New Zealand property.
Consumer price pressure in the world's third largest economy, which increased notably last month, is expected to rise further until the end of this year, as more of the impact of weak domestic currency feeds through.