U.K. consumer confidence rose in November as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy, said the Nationwide Building Society on Tuesday. An index of sentiment gained to 40 points from 36 points in October.
Housing starts and building permits rose more than forecast in November, indicating the market is stabilizing heading into 2012. Starts and permits increased 9.3 and 5.7 per cent to seasonally adjusted annual rates of 685 and 681 thousand respectively, said the Census Bureau on Tuesday.
German business sentiment improved in December, indicating the largest economy in the European Union remains resilient to regional debt crisis. Ifo business climate index rose to 107.2 points from 106.6 points in November, said the Ifo Institute for Economic Research.
Japanese stocks extended losses on Monday after death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong as investors sold equities on concern over regional stability. The Nikkei 225 shed 1.26%, or 105.60 points, to 8,296.12, while the broader Topix lost 0.99%, or 7.18, to 716.38.
Swiss stocks rose on Monday after European finance ministers held a conference to discuss 200 billion euros in additional funding through the International Monetary Fund.
U.K. home sellers decreased prices in December, said the Rightmove Plc on Monday, underlining "challenging conditions" on the real estate market. Average asking prices dropped 2.7 per cent to 225,766 pounds from November.
Homebuilder sentiment increased for a third consecutive month in December, said the National Association of Home Builders on Monday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index rose to 21 this month from downwardly revised 19 in November. Reading below 50 indicates negative outlook.
Economists suggest that the future of the European Union and the fate of the single currency will become clear in the first half of the year 2012, highlighting importance of structural reforms to be implemented by Italy, the euro area's third largest economy.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Friday as investors' worries over the eurozone economy were partly offset by better-than-expected employment data in the U.S. The Nikkei 225 gained 0.29%, or 24.35 points, to 8,401.72, while the broader Topix shed 0.20%, or 1.46, to 723.56.
Swiss stocks declined on Friday as Standard and Poor's warned that European exports may weaken further in 2012. Despite this forecast, Swiss stocks will perform "very well in 2012," said Sean Darby, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies Group Inc.
U.K. has been invited to participate in discussion on a eurozone fiscal pact, despite rejecting to sign up to it, said the government on Thursday. Prime Minister David Cameron voted against changes to the EU treaty at a summit in Brussels December 9.
U.S. month on month consumer prices stagnated in November after declining 0.1 per cent in October, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. Prices were little changed as gasoline and food prices dropped, supporting the Federal Reserve view that inflation will remain stable.
Credit Agricole SA, France's second largest bank by assets, will make losses in 2011, write of 2.5 billion euros worth of assets and cut approximately 2,350 jobs as European debt crisis looms. Fitch and Moody's downgraded the company's credit rating this month.
Swiss stocks edged higher on Thursday after better-than-expected reports on U.S. initial jobless claims and manufacturing.
Japan's largest manufacturers became less optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy amid crisis in Europe and after foreign investment in China slid for the first time since 2009.
U.K. month on month retail sales dropped in November, said the Office for National Statistics on Thursday. Sales fell 0.4 per cent the previous month after increasing 0.6 per cent in October. Economists expected the reading to decline 0.3 per cent.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits tumbled to 366 thousand last week from 385 thousand the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday. Economists expected the reading to increase to 389 thousand.
Spain sold €6.03 billion of debt on Thursday, more than initially expected and at a lower rate compared to Italy, easing concerns the country may lose access to financial markets next year.
Japanese stocks declined on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve fell short of presenting new measures to promote economic growth. The Nikkei 225 declined 0.39%, or 33.68 points, to 8,519.13, while the broader Topix lost 0.50%, or 3.73, to 736.98.
Swiss stocks closed lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve offered no additional stimulus to spur economic growth.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, declined 0.71%, or 40.63 points, to 5,719.09. The broader Swiss Performance Index shed 0.96%, or 50.08 points, to 5,151.77.
U.K. unemployment rose by 128 thousand to 2.64 million in three months to October, the highest level in 17 years, adding to concerns the country is heading towards a recession. Jobless rate jumped to 8.3 percent from 7.9 percent in the previous quarter, said the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.
U.S. month on month import prices rose at a moderate pace in November for the first time in four months, indicating inflation will remain contained. Prices of imported goods rose 0.7 percent after falling 0.5 percent in October, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday.
Italy's five-year borrowing costs rose to record in a bond auction on Wednesday, adding pressure on Italian government to take decisive action against the crisis after last week's summit failed to restore investor confidence. Five-year debt was trading 6.81% at the end of the trading session.
Japanese stocks declined on Tuesday after rating companies said last week's summit did little to resolve the debt crisis. The Nikkei 225 shed 1.17%, or 101.01 points, to 8,552.81, while the broader Topix lost 0.80%, or 5.98, to 740.71.