Americans increased their spending in November, signalling enough momentum in the world's number one economy for the Fed to hike rates as soon as this week for the first time in almost a decade.
German consumer inflation rose in November, but remained well below the European Central Bank target amid ongoing pressure from weak energy prices.
SwitzerlandThe SNB maintained interest rates at record lows and keep its pledge to intervene if needed to push back against on a strong Franc. The central bank kept its target range for three-month Libor at between -1.25% and -0.25% in line with expectations, but it said it would remain active in the currency market if necessary. The interest rate on
New Zealand consumer confidence dropped in December as confidence over future conditions waned.
The Swiss National Bank maintained interest rates at record lows and keep its pledge to intervene if needed to push back against on a strong Franc.
The Bank of England kept interest rates at record lows, pointing to lower oil prices and weak wage growth, which is likely to keep a lid on inflation for some time to come.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits unexpectedly increased to the highest level in five months last week.
Germany's exports declined in October by a seasonally adjusted 1.2% to 99 billion euros, compared with a strong 2.6% gain in September, as some of key trading partners continue to struggle with economic difficulties.
China consumer inflation picked up last month, due to price gains for food and services, suggesting demand in the world's second biggest economy is strengthening after introduction of fiscal stimulus and interest-rate cuts.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand lowered its official cash rate for the fourth time this year, saying the nation's economy needed support amid lower terms of trade, while inflationary pressures remained benign.
Australia's unemployment rate declined to the lowest level in 20 months following the strongest two-month period of job creation in 28 years.
Consumer confidence in Australia slipped modestly in the lead up to Christmas, with the Westpac-MI consumer sentiment index falling 0.8% to 100.8.
Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz said the economy does not need unconventional policies such as QE to boost growth, with a weaker local Dollar and recent rate cuts supporting the recovery.
Japan's core machinery orders unexpectedly jumped in October by the most since March, posting a second consecutive month of gains.
UK manufacturing production declined unexpectedly in October, signalling a weak start for the industry in the final quarter of the year.
The Euro zone economy grew 0.3% in the third quarter following a 0.4% expansion in the June quarter.
Australian business confidence recovered modestly in November, while business conditions remained at high levels, signalling a rebound in business investment may be round the corner.
The Japanese economy avoided a technical recession in the third quarter, a revised official data showed.
China's exports dropped more than expected in November, while decline in imports slowed, a sign that domestic demand started to recover slowly.
Industrial production in Germany, the Euro zone's biggest economy, increased in October following two months of decreases.
The Canadian economy lost 36,000 jobs in November, pushing the unemployment rate higher, Statistics Canada reported.
The market is pricing in almost a 50% chance on an interest cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand this Thursday amid a stronger Kiwi Dollar, the weak outlook for inflation, dairy and labour market.
US non-farm payroll growth continued to gather speed from October said, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as the world's number one economy created 211,000 jobs last month, a solid pace that would help push the economy closer to full employment.
German factory orders increased for the first time in four months, rising more than economists expected, as demand for investment and consumer goods advanced due to an economic recovery in the country and the Euro zone.