Swiss stocks rose slightly on Thursday after German business climate improved unexpectedly.
The number of approved mortgages rose to 38.1 thousand in January, the highest in two years, from 36.6 thousand in December, shows the data published by the British Banker's Association on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits remained unchanged at 351,000 thousand in the week ended February 18 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
German business confidence improved more than expected in February, defying fears that the euro zone's largest economy has slipped into recession. Ifo business climate index, which is based on a survey of 7,000 executives, rose to 109.6 points from 108.3 points in January.
Japanese stocks rose on Wednesday, led by carmakers including Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota edged higher 1.8 per cent to 3,380 yen. Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-biggest carmaker by market value, gained 2.3 per cent to 814 yen.
Swiss stocks declined for a second day after a report showed Euro zone business activity shrunk in February.
Monetary Policy Committee members were split over the size of their latest economic stimulus, showed the minutes of the February 8-9 meeting published on Wednesday.
U.S. home sales rose in January to the highest level since May 2010, a sign the housing market is regaining its footing. Existing home sales rose 4.3 per cent to a 4.57 million annual rate from a revised 4.38 million in December, said the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday.
Japanese stocks fell on Tuesday even after euro area finance ministers agreed to a 130 billion euro Greek bailout.The Nikkei 225 shed 0.23%, or 22.07 points, to 9,463.02. The broader Topix erased 0.33%, or 2.74, to 816.29.
Swiss trade surplus narrowed to 1.55 billion Swiss francs in January from 2.01 billion francs in December, estimated the Federal Statistical Office. Despite the contraction, exports rose hefty 3.6 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
U.K. government posted the largest budget surplus since 2008 in January. Revenue exceeded spending by 7.75 billion pounds, announced the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Tuesday after Greece won a second bailout from Europe and the International Monetary Fund.
European leaders agreed on a 130 billion euro bailout package for Greece on Tuesday after forcing the nation to commit to additional austerity measures and private debt holders to take greater losses.
U.K. house prices rose sharply in February, said the nation's largest property website Rightmove.co.uk on Monday. Average asking prices rose to 233,252 pounds, up by 4.1 per cent from January, the highest monthly increase since April 2002. Prices in the U.K. capital rose 2.5 per cent from January to 449,252 pounds.
Japan's trade deficit widened in January as a strong yen hurt exporters and fuel imports rose after shutdown of most of 54 nuclear reactors. The deficit came to 1.48 trillion yen, estimated the Ministry of Finance.
Swiss stocks edged slightly higher on Monday, led by UBS AG and Credit Suisse Group AG, the nation's largest lenders amid hopes Euro area finance ministers will approve a second bailout package for Greece.
U.S. banks were closed on Monday in observance of President's Day.
Euro area finance ministers met in Brussels on Monday to discuss the second bailout package for Greece.
In an attempt to decrease cumbersome public debt which has reached incredible proportions, Japanese government intends to hike current sales tax twofold within the next four years.
Swiss stocks gained, led by rallies in Holcim Ltd and Credit Suisse Group AG, amid optimism that Greece will receive a second bailout.
Retail sales continued their climb for the second month in a row, reaching +0.9% last month, National Statistics reported on Friday. Analysts had expected a 0.3% drop, so investors were positively surprised after the release of retail sales data [including fuel]. The increase was led by sports equipment and related goods, as the ‘other goods' category skyrocketed by 5.9% last
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 0.2% in January slightly below analyst median forecasts of a 0.3% advance, said the Department of Labor on Friday. On yearly basis CPI added 2.9%. Core consumer price index which excludes volatile energy and food costs also ascended 0.2%, matching earlier expectations.
The Euro rose against the US dollar and the Yen on Friday on hopes Greece was nearing a deal to secure a new rescue package despite rising worries about the ability of Greek leaders to rule the debt crisis.
Japanese stocks declined slightly on Thursday after a financial aid for Greece was postponed. Losses were limited as weak Yen boosted outlook for exporters.