U.K. consumer confidence failed to improve in June, said GfK NOP Ltd. An index of sentiment remained unchanged at -29 points from the previous month.
U.S. consumer confidence deteriorated in June to the lowest level this year as Americans became less optimistic on the economic outlook. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of sentiment fell to 73.2 from 79.3 in May.
European stocks jumped on Friday after European leaders eased loan conditions for Spanish banks and unveiled a growth plan for the region's economy.
Japan's retail sales rose more than expected in May, said the Trade Ministry in Tokyo on Thursday. Sales gained 3.6 per cent from the same period last year.
Swiss stocks lost ground on Thursday, snapping two days of gains.
House prices in the U.K. edged lower 0.6 per cent to an average of 165,738 pounds in June, after increasing 0.2 per cent in May, said the Nationwide Building Society on Thursday.
A sharply divided Supreme Court upheld President Obama's health-care law Thursday requiring that most Americans get insurance by 2014 or pay a financial penalty, a ruling that gave the White House big win ahead of Obama's re-election bid in November.
Euro area confidence deteriorated to the lowest level since 2009 in June and German unemployment rose more than economists forecast, a sign the euro zone economy is heading towards a recession.
Japanese stocks rose for the first time in four days on Wednesday.
Swiss stocks extended gains on Wednesday after a report showed durable goods orders in the world's largest economy rose more than economists forecast.
Retail sales in the U.K. rose in June boosted by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, said the Confederation of British Industry on Wednesday. The index measuring sales rose to 42 from 21 in May. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
U.S. durable goods orders rose in May for the first time in three months, easing concern the economy is deteriorating. Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years increased 1.1 per cent, said the Commerce Department on Wednesday.
European stocks closed in green on Wednesday after a report showed U.S. durable goods orders rose by more than expected in May and on speculation that China will introduce additional economic stimulus.
Japanese stocks extended losses on Tuesday after Japan's policy makers voted in favour of a bill to double the consumption tax to 10 per cent.
Swiss stocks gained slightly on Tuesday.
British public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in May, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday. Net borrowing came in at 15.6 billion pounds, a rise of almost eight per cent from the same period the previous year.
U.S. house prices rose in April for a third consecutive month, the latest sign the housing market is recovering. The S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas rose 0.7 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis.
A group of European officials on Tuesday proposed a series of adjustments to the single currency bloc which will be discussed at EU summit on Thursday. The measures range from allowing a central European authority to override national budgets to the issuing of common euro zone bonds.
Japanese stocks slid on Monday.
Swiss stocks extended losses on Monday.
U.K. stocks declined for a third consecutive day on Monday as investors awaited a European summit later this week.
Sales of new U.S. homes rose by more than expected in May as mortgage rates dropped. Purchases climbed to 369,000 in May, the highest level in more than two years and up by 7.6 per cent from the previous month, said the Commerce Department on Monday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected common euro-area bonds before a summit of European leaders this week. Merkel said debt sharing would be "economically wrong and counterproductive".
German business confidence fell by more than expected in June, reinforcing fears that the euro zone's largest economy is slowing. Ifo business climate index, which is based on a survey of 7,000 businesses, slid to 105.3 points from 106.9 points in May. "The German economy is slowing despite extremely accommodative interest rates and recent wage growth," said Annamaria Grimaldi, an economist at Intesa Sanpaolo SpA in