Japanese stocks closed mixed on Thursday and Euro dropped to a 10-year low against the yen after the European Central Bank balance sheet increased to record 2.73 trillion euros. The Nikkei 225 shed 0.29%, or 24.73 points, to 8,398.89, while the broader Topix rose 0.09%, or 0.67, to 722.12.
Swiss stocks closed little changed on Thursday after Italian bond auction and amid low trading volume on the market.
U.K. stocks rose on Thursday on better-than-expected economic data from U.S. The benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 1.08%, or 59.37 points, to 5,566.77. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 0.98%, or 27.70 points, to 2,853.58.
More Americans applied for jobless benefits during the week ended December 24 than for the previous period. New applications for unemployment benefits rose for the first time in a month to 381 thousand in the week ended December 24, said the Department of Labor on Thursday. Economists expected the reading to increase to 372 thousand.
Italy sold almost 20 billion of debt during this week, pushing yields on government securities lower but failing to reassure investors over the nation's ability to raise finance in the markets next year.
Japan's industrial output tumbled 2.3% in November, compared to the previous month, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday. Economists expected the reading to drop by 0.7 per cent.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, rose 0.14%, or 8.34 points, to 5,895.25. The broader Swiss Performance Index gained 0.05%, or 2.80 points, to 5,304.90.
The U.K. job market faces "slow, painful contraction", said the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in a report, adding the number of employed people is likely to decrease by 120,000 in 2012.
U.S. retail sales rose 4.5 per cent for the week ended December 24, compared to the same period last year as shops offered discounts to lure consumers, said the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. on Wednesday.
Italy raised 9 billion euros in an auction on Wednesday, more than expected, benefiting from lower yields as Rome's recent austerity measures and the ECB long-term refinancing operation have helped to ease strains in the market.
Japanese stocks dropped on Tuesday amid slow holiday trading. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.46%, or 38.78 points, to 8,440.56, while the broader Topix fell 0.30%, or 2.19, to 724.25.
Swiss stocks snapped a five-day rally on Tuesday after S&P/CS report showed U.S. house prices fell more than expected.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, shed 0.12%, or 6.98 points, to 5,886.91. The broader Swiss Performance Index edged lower 0.13%, or 6.85 points, to 5,302.10.
U.K. stocks rose on Friday amid better than expected economic data from the world's largest economy. The benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 1.02%, or 55.73 points, to 5,512.70. The FTSE All-Share Index edged higher 0.98%, or 27.48 points, to 2,827.09.
U.S. consumer confidence rose to an eight month high in December as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, the Conference Board Inc. said on Tuesday. An index of sentiment increased to 64.5 from 55.2 in November.
Italian government bonds fell on Tuesday, pushing three-year and ten-year yields higher before an auction on Thursday, where Rome plans to sell 8.5 billion of debt, as investors are worried the euro zone's third-largest economy may lose access to financial markets.
Japanese stocks edged higher on Monday after the U.S. Congress passed payroll tax extension. The Nikkei 225 gained 1.00%, or 84.18 points, to 8,479.34, while the broader Topix advanced 0.46%, or 3.32, to 726.44.
U.K. stocks rose on Friday amid better-than-expected economic data from the world's largest economy. The benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 1.02%, or 55.73 points, to 5,512.70. The FTSE All-Share Index edged higher 0.98%, or 27.48 points, to 2,827.09.
Economists expect home prices to decline at a slower pace in forthcoming months with prices reaching a bottom in the middle of 2012. Property prices declined 3.2 per cent in October, compared to the same period last year.
Standard & Poor's is expected to release its verdict on credit ratings for 15 euro zone countries in January, after putting them on credit watch December 6 for a possible cut in the absence of decisive action from European leaders.
Japanese stocks fell on Thursday as record borrowing from the European Central Bank showed how deeply the debt crisis has affected the financial system. The Nikkei 225 shed 0.77%, or 64.82 points, to 8,395.16, while the broader Topix lost 0.35%, or 2.56, to 723.12.
Swiss stocks rose for a fifth consecutive day on Friday after reports on new home sales and durable goods showed the world's largest economy is recovering.
Number of approved mortgages increased to 34.7 thousand in November down by 0.5 thousand from the previous month, according to the data published by the British Banker's Association. Analysts expected the reading to increase to 36.3 thousand.
Sales of new U.S. homes advanced to a seven month high in November, according to the data published by the Census Bureau. The number of new houses sold rose 1.6 per cent to an annualized rate of 315 thousand from 310 thousand in October.
S&P top official warned Friday that record 489 billion euros allotted between 523 European banks by the ECB will not protect them from threatened rating downgrades.