The momentum of the Swiss economy slowed for the third consecutive month in December, adding to concerns that deepening Eurozone crisis weighed on business confidence.
Activity in the U.K. construction sector shrank by most in six months in December, driven mainly by a steep reduction in housing activity.
New applications for the unemployment benefits in the world's biggest economy jumped to a five-week high during the last week, reflecting the usual volatility, which is seen during the holiday season, because of temporary hiring and the closure of government offices.
The number of unemployed people in the Europe's largest economy rose less than expected last month, while the overall jobless rate remained unchanged, a sign that deepening region's debt crisis curbed company investment and economic growth.
A composite indicator providing a reading on the direction of GDP growth for the Swiss economy compared with the year-earlier quarter declined for the third successive month in December as a sign of bleak prospects of the economy, recording a 0.22 point fall to 1.28. "Construction" modules fell slightly, while the "Banking" module stayed in positive territory. "In comparison to previous months the cooling
Construction output of the U.K. economy tumbled at the fastest pace in a six-month period in the month of December as residential building decrease to its lowest level since the end of 2010, the Markit survey showed on Thursday. The Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers Index dropped to 48.7 in December from 49.3 in the month before, compared to a forecast
The Japanese government is widely expected to raise its growth forecast for the world's third largest economy on hopes that Abe's bold actions will help to boost economic growth in the country.
The amount of cash Swiss commercial banks held with nation's central bank fell more than expected in the week to December 28, a sign that investors are getting more anxious over Eurozone's financial woes.
Activity in Britain's factories rose for the first time since March, indicating some strength in the economy at the end of 2012.
Manufacturing sector in the world's largest economy expanded slightly in December, adding to signs that the industry is stabilizing after reaching a three-year low a month earlier.
The slowdown in Eurozone factory activity deepened last month, a sign that region's economy may have slipped further into recession in the last quarter of 2012.
The overall unemployment rate in Japan edged down in November, however, the availability of jobs was unchanged, a sign that employers are still cautious on hiring amid severe economic conditions.
The Swiss stock market ended Friday's session in negative territory amid growing concerns that the U.S. lawmakers will fail to reach a budget agreement by the end of this year.
Britons were not so active in making shopping trips for post-holiday bargains on the day after Christmas, as more people were looking for the discounts online.
Pending home sales in the world's largest economy rose for a third consecutive month in November, a sign nation's property market is on the path to recovery.
The French economy expanded less than initially was expected, adding to concerns that the recovery may be too weak to help President Francois Hollande's government reduce unemployment, which is currently at a 15-year high, and improve the overall economic situation.
On Wednesday, December 26, Shinzo Abe was sworn in as Japan's seventh Prime Minister during the last seven years.
The UBS Swiss consumption indicator fell last month, implying weak domestic demand, the Swiss bank's economists said on Thursday.
The number of mortgages approved in the U.K. soared to the highest level since January last month, a sign nation's property market is stabilising.
New applications for the unemployment benefits in the world's biggest economy fell almost to the lowest levels in 2012 last week, adding to evidence that employers have picked up the pace of hiring.
Confidence among Italian manufacturers rose more than was initially predicted this month, as recession eased in the third quarter and the nation's borrowing costs declined.
New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his cabinet on Wednesday, as he begins battling deflation and pushing economic growth.
Switzerland is widely expected to remain world's gold hub, as four of the world's biggest gold refineries are located in Switzerland.
The Bank of England is widely expected to abandon its 2% inflation target, which has been in place for more than two decades, as the BoE Governor Mark Carney thinks about alternatives to the measure of price level change.