Japanese stocks rose for a third day on Wednesday as the Yen weakened and amid speculation the Fed is ready to act to spur growth.
Swiss stocks were little changed on Tuesday.
The U.K. industrial sector contracted less than economists forecast in June, adding to hopes the economic growth in the second quarter could be revised upwards. Industrial output declined 2.5 per cent, said the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks extended gains on Tuesday amid better than forecast company earnings and hopes central banks will take measures to stimulate global economic growth.
Greece's CCC credit rating was revised from stable to negative on concern the economy is worsening, said the Standard and Poor's on Tuesday. The Greek economy may shrink as much as 11 per cent this year and in 2013.
Japanese stocks extended gains on Tuesday amid optimism the European Central Bank will resume bond purchases.
Swiss stocks edged slightly higher on Monday.
U.K. house prices edged lower in July, said the Lloyds Banking Group Plc Halifax mortgage-lending unit on Monday. Prices fell 0.6 per cent to an average of 161,094 pounds, after rising a downwardly revised 0.8 per cent in June.
U.S. stocks closed in green on Monday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government agreed on the European Central Bank's bond-purchase plan.
Investor confidence in the Eurozone dropped less than expected in August, said Germany's Sentix research institute on Monday. An index measuring sentiment retreated to minus 30.3 from 29.6 the prior month.
Japanese stocks edged higher on Monday after better than expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls eased concerns the world's largest economy is slowing.
Swiss stocks rose on Friday after a report showed the U.S. economy added more jobs than economists forecast.
U.K. service sector output only grew slightly in July from the prior month, according to a Markit survey. The Markit/Cips services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 51 from 51.3 in June, said the company on Friday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
The U.S. economy created more jobs than economists forecast in July, easing concerns the economic recovery is faltering. Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 163,000, said the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday. The jobless rate rose to 8.3 per cent, the highest level since February.
The Eurozone retail sector growth slowed in June as consumers cut spending amid the economic slump. Sales rose 0.1 per cent, after adding 0.8 per cent in May, said the European Union's statistics office on Friday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits rose less than economists forecast to 365,000 in the week ended July 28 from 357,000 the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Japanese stocks closed lower on Friday after the ECB refrained from monetary policy easing.
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.