Swiss stocks rose on Thursday after a report showed U.S. unemployment claims declined and Nestle SA, the world's biggest food company, climbed on better than expected sales growth.
U.K. consumer confidence rose in January as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, estimated the Nationwide Building Society. An index of sentiment rose to 47 from 38 in December.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits tumbled to 348 thousand in the week ended February 11 from 361 thousand the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Greek government officials said bailout talks are in progress and that the country is willing accept more supervision, but rejected rumours that the bailout would be postponed until after April elections.
Swiss stocks fell on Monday after S&P cut ratings on six European countries and a report showed U.S. retail sales increased less than expected.
Inflation in the U.K. declined sharply in January. The consumer price index fell to 3.6 percent in January from 4.2 percent in December, said the Office for National Statistics.
U.S. retail sales grew less than expected January as vehicle purchases tumbled. Total retail sales rose 0.4 per cent the previous month from December, when sales stagnated, said the Census Bureau on Tuesday.
An index of German investor confidence rose to 5.4 in February from -21.6 in January, said the ZEW Centre for European Economic Research on Tuesday. ZEW sentiment is based on a survey conducted among 350 German investors and analysts, who are asked to rate the six-month economic outlook.
Japan's economy contracted between October and December as Thai floods and strong yen weighed on exporters. The gross domestic product fell 0.6 per cent, compared to the previous three months, said the Cabinet Office on Monday.
Swiss stocks rose on Monday after Greece approved an austerity plan in exchange for a second European bailout.
The Confederation of British Industry said the nation will avoid a technical recession in 2012 without additional Bank of England stimulus.
U.S. stocks rose on Monday after Greek lawmakers turned austerity plan into law to secure rescue funds from the International Monetary Fund and Europe.
Germany and the European Commission welcomed Greek approval of additional austerity measures required to secure a 130 billion euro bailout from international lenders.
The Bank of Japan February 14 is forecast to maintain the benchmark rate at near zero and keep its asset purchasing program at 55 trillion yen amid signs the global economy including the U.S. is picking up.
Swiss month-on-month inflation fell in January, said the Federal Statistical Office on Friday. Prices declined 0.4 per cent, after dropping 0.2 per cent in December.
U.K. output prices rose more than forecast in January, led by higher alcohol, petroleum products and clothing costs. The price of goods rose 0.5 per cent from December, when it declined 0.2 per cent, said the Office for National Statistics on Friday.
U.S. trade deficit widened to a six-month high of $48.8 billion in December, up by $1.7 billion compared to November, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced on Friday.
Leaders of Greece's governing coalition rejected German demands for additional austerity measures hours after German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told legislators in Berlin that the nation was missing deficit targets.
Japan's machinery orders tumbled in December as the debt crisis in Europe and strong yen dimmed the outlook for exporters. Month-on-month bookings fell 7.1 per cent in December, after surging 15 per cent in November, said the Cabinet Office on Thursday.
Swiss stocks rose on Thursday after Greek politicians agreed on austerity measures to secure a second bailout.
The Bank of England injected another 50 billion pounds into the U.K. economy and maintained key lending rate at record low of 0.5 per cent to protect fragile economic recovery.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment insurance payments fell to 358 thousand last week from 373 thousand in the week ended January 31, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
Greece leaders Thursday agreed a deal on reforms and austerity measures in return for a 130 billion euro bailout from international lenders which will help the country to avoid a messy default.
Japan's current account surplus shrank sharply in 2011 to its smallest value in 15 years, as exports weakened, being disrupted by the March earthquake and the Thai floods and energy imports soared after shutdown of nuclear plants.