Japan's trade deficit widened in July as the debt crisis in Europe and economic slowdown in China dragged down exports. Deficit in trade came in at 517.4 billion yen, the highest reading ever for the month.
Swiss stocks climbed on Tuesday amid growing hopes of the European Central Bank' action.
U.K. public sector borrowing rose by more than expected in July as corporate tax receipts fell and government spending increased. Public sector net borrowing rose by 557 million pounds to 44.9 billion pounds for the fiscal year started April 1.
Sales of previously owned homes probably increased in July, adding to signs the housing market is improving, claim economists before today's report set to be released at 4:00pm CET.
European stocks closed higher on Tuesday amid hopes the European Central Bank will take actions to address the sovereign debt crisis.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Tuesday ahead of U.S. housing and durable goods data.
Swiss stocks retreated on Monday, paring two week gains after the European Central Bank rejected a possibility of setting yield limits on each country's debt.
U.K. stocks fell on Monday weighted by a decline in banks. The FTSE 100 Index edged lower 0.5 per cent, or 28.05 points to 5,824.37.
U.S. stocks were little changed on Monday ahead of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker visit to Greece tomorrow.
Greece, Spain and Italy are only halfway through implementing reforms and adjusting the economic imbalances, said the Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday after a report showed home prices in China are rising, a sign the government may refrain from easing policy.
Swiss stocks rose further on Friday amid optimism law makers will take measures to help Eurozone banks.
U.K. house prices fell 2.4 per cent to 236,260 pounds in August, said the Rightmove Plc, owner of the U.K.'s largest residential property Web site on Monday.
The difference between U.S. bank loans and deposits is increasing, providing more room for lenders to purchase government securities. Deposits rose 3.3 per cent to 8.88 trillion dollars in the two months ended July 31 and lending to businesses rose 0.7 per cent to 7.11 trillion dollars, Federal Reserve data show.
The single currency index rose on Monday, extending the previous week's gains amid speculations the European Central Bank considers setting yield limits on each country's debt.
Japanese stocks advanced on Friday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel signalled support for a European Central Bank plan to combat the debt crisis.
Swiss stocks gained on Thursday on better than expected U.K. retail sales and U.S. building permits data.
U.K. retail sales rose by 0.3 per cent in July and the Office for National Statistics revised June's sales to 0.8 per cent from 0.1 per cent. Retail sales volumes rose 2.8 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits rose slightly to 366,000 in the week ended August 11 from an upwardly revised 364,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Consumer prices in the Eurozone were unchanged in July, said the European statistics office on Thursday. Year-on-year inflation remained at 2.4 per cent, above the ECB's target of 2 per cent. Month-on-month prices fell 0.5 per cent, after declining 0.1 per cent in June.
Japanese stocks rose after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said there is more room to adjust monetary policy.
Swiss stocks rose on Wednesday after manufacturing in the New York region contracted more than economists forecast.
U.K. unemployment fell to its lowest level in almost a year as the Olympic games created temporary jobs. Unemployment declined by 46,000 in the second quarter to 8 per cent, said the Office for National Statistics.
U.S. factory output rose by more than expected, a sign the economy is expanding. Industrial production increased by 0.6 per cent in July, after adding 0.1 per cent the previous month, said the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.