The Federal Reserve extended its monetary stimulus Wednesday in an effort to push borrowing costs lower by buying 267 billion dollars in long-term government securities.
Three Greek parties, New Democracy, Pasok and smaller Democratic Left, agreed on a coalition government on Wednesday with Antonis Samaras as prime minister and Vasilios Rapanos, National Bank of Greece chairman, as finance minister. The combined seat strength of the coalition amounts to 179 seats in parliament.
Japanese stocks retreated on Tuesday after borrowing costs in Spain rose above seven per cent.
Swiss stocks extended gains on Tuesday.
U.K. inflation eased unexpectedly to 2.8 per cent in May, the lowest level in more than a year, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
U.S. housing starts fell by 4.8 per cent in May led by slump in construction of apartments, while building permits rose to the highest level in four years, a sign the U.S. housing market remains firmly on track.
Economic expectations in Germany deteriorated by the most since 1998, data showed on Tuesday. An indicator of economic sentiment slid to -16.9 in June from 10.8 in May, said the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). A reading above zero indicates optimism, while a score below zero indicates pessimism.
Japanese stocks extended gains on Monday after Greek elections eased concern the nation would exit the euro.
Swiss stocks edged higher on Monday after Greek pro-bailout parties won enough seats to form a government.
U.K. house asking prices rose 1.0 per cent to 246,235 pounds in June, announced Monday the Rightmove Plc, owner of the U.K.'s largest residential property web site.
Homebuilder sentiment rose to the highest in five years in June, said the National Association of Home Builders on Monday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index increased to 29 from a revised 28 in May.
Spanish 10-year bonds fell, pushing yields above seven per cent, after Greek elections failed to convince investors that lawmakers will be able to solve the debt crisis.
Japanese stocks edged slightly higher on Friday after weaker than expected U.S. jobless claims data fuelled speculation the Fed may introduce next round of quantitative easing.
Swiss stocks rose slightly on Friday.
U.K. trade deficit unexpectedly widened to 10.1 billion pounds in April from 8.7 billion pounds in March, said the Office for National Statistics on Friday.
U.S. industrial production unexpectedly declined in May, said the Federal Reserve on Friday. Output at factories dropped 0.1 per cent, after increasing 1 per cent in April.
Moody's Investors Service cut credit ratings of ING Groep NV, KBC Groep NV, and Rabobank on concern that the debt crisis makes them vulnerable.
Japanese stocks declined on Thursday, as European and U.S. data added to signs the global economic outlook is deteriorating.
Swiss stocks edged lower for the first time in a week on Thursday as the Swiss National Bank said Credit Suisse Group AG and UBS AG need to raise additional capital this year.
U.K. stocks declined on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits rose to 386,000 in the week ended June 9 from 377,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Yields on 10-year Spanish government securities rose on Thursday to the highest level since the creation of the single currency union. Yields climbed to 6.91 per cent at the close of the trading session.
Japanese stocks rose on Wednesday after a report showed nation's machinery orders rose more than expected.
Swiss stocks added to gains on Wednesday.