Swiss stocks closed mixed on Thursday after the ECB failed to deliver bold measures to combat the crisis on Thursday.
The Bank of England left its key rate unchanged at a record low of 0.5 per cent and put asset purchases on hold at 375 billion pounds on Thursday.
Spain has successfully placed 3.13 billion euros of debt at an auction on Thursday, exceeding a target of 3 billion euros. The nation sold 10-year bonds at an average rate of 6.65 per cent and 2-year bonds at 4.77 per cent.
Japanese stocks gained on Thursday after the Fed pledge to support the economy should it deteriorate.
Swiss banks were closed on Wednesday in observance of Independence Day.
U.K. manufacturing sector contracted at its fastest pace since 2009 in July, showed Markit research agency data on Wednesday. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index slid to 45.4 from 48.4 in June.
U.S. manufacturing activity shrunk for a second month in July. The Institute for Supply Management's index for the manufacturing sector rose to 49.8 from 49.7 in June, said Arizona-based group on Wednesday. A reading below 50.0 indicates industry contraction.
Germany retained its top notch triple A credit rating with a stable outlook, said Standard & Poor's on Thursday, just over a week after Moody's Investor Service changed its outlook for the nation to negative.
Japanese stocks fell on Wednesday after a report showed China's manufacturing expanded less than forecast and company earnings missed estimates.
Swiss stocks broke a four-day winning streak on Tuesday after companies from BP Plc to UBS AG reported weaker than expected earnings.
U.K. consumer confidence remained at low levels in July, a sign government efforts to boost growth failed to lift consumer mood. An index of sentiment was unchanged from June at minus 29, said London-based research group GfK NOP Ltd.
U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly rose in July as Americans became more optimistic on the nation's economic outlook, the Conference Board Inc. said on Tuesday. An index of sentiment increased to 65.9 from 62.7 in June.
Eurozone unemployment rate reached an upwardly revised 11.2 per cent in May and held at that level in June, said the European Union's statistics office on Tuesday. This is the highest level since creation of the currency bloc.
Japanese stocks climbed for a third day on Tuesday amid rumours the ECB and the Fed may ease monetary policy.
Swiss stocks rose for a fourth day amid hopes the ECB will take decisive action to ease euro area strains.
U.K. retail sales growth slowed in June to the lowest level since April, said the Confederation of British Industry on Monday. The index measuring sales dropped to 11 from 42 in June. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
U.S. stocks closed little changed on Monday ahead of employment and consumer confidence reports this week.
Spanish economy slid deeper into recession in April-June quarter as a new round of austerity measures took effect on consumer demand. Gross domestic product contracted 0.4 per cent annual rate, compared to the pervious quarter, showed national statistics data on Monday.
Japanese stocks rose for a third day on Monday.
Swiss stocks closed higher on Friday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande pledged to protect the single currency and a report showed the U.S. economy expanded more than forecast.
U.K. house prices declined in July and may fell further, said London-based property-research company Hometrack Ltd. Prices retreated 1 per cent from June, when they stagnated.
The world's largest economy slowed in the second quarter as business invested at a slower pace and consumers cut spending. Gross domestic product rose at an annualized rate of 1.5 per cent in April-June quarter, a decline from downwardly revised 1.9 per cent gain in the first quarter of this year.
Spanish unemployment rate increased to 24.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, the highest level since 1976, from 24.4 per cent in the prior quarter, National Statistics Institute data showed.
Japanese stocks climbed for a second day after Mario Draghi said the ECB is ready to act to preserve the euro.