Month on month pending home sales dropped in April by the most in a year, announced the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday. The index measuring home sales declined 5.5 per cent to 95.5, after rising a downwardly revised 3.8 per cent in March.
Italy placed 5.73 billion euros of 10-year and 5-year debt in an auction on Wednesday, falling short of its 6.25 billion euros target, national department of the treasury data showed. Borrowing costs rose above six per cent from the first time since January.
Japan's retail sales rose by less than economists forecast in April. Retail sales gained 5.8 per cent, compared to the same period last year, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Moreover, the Statistics Bureau said household spending increased 2.6 per cent.
Swiss stocks gained on Tuesday after a report showed the housing market in the world's largest economy is stabilising.
Retail sales in the U.K. unexpectedly rose in May, said the Confederation of British Industry on Tuesday. The index measuring sales jumped to 21 in November from -6 in April. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
U.S. consumer confidence dropped to lowest level in four months in May as consumers became less optimistic on the job market, the Conference Board Inc. said on Tuesday. An index of sentiment declined to 64.9 points from 68.7 in April.
European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said the bank does not plan additional bond purchases to stem rising yields on euro area government securities.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday.
Swiss banks were closed on Monday in observance of Whit Monday.
U.K. stocks edged slightly higher on Monday as polls in Greece showed rising support for pro-bailout parties.
U.S. banks were closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
European stocks closed little changed on Monday after a poll showed Greek citizens support pro-bailout parties.
Japan's consumer prices gained 0.2 per cent in April from the previous year, said the Statistics Bureau on Friday.
U.K. stocks closed little changed on Friday.
Swiss stocks rose for a fourth day in five on Friday.
U.S. consumer confidence rose to the highest level in five years in May as consumers became more optimistic on the outlook of the country's economy. The Thomson Reuters / University of Michigan index of sentiment rose to 79.3 from 77.8 in April.
German consumer confidence stagnated in May as consumers remained cautiously confident about German economic prospects, said GfK, one of the world's leading market research companies.
Japanese stocks gained on Thursday on speculation they are undervalued.
Swiss stocks rose for a third day in four on Thursday.
The U.K. economy shrank by more than expected in the first quarter of the year, revised figures have shown. Gross domestic product fell 0.3 per cent from a revised drop of 0.2 per cent, the Office for National Statistics said on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits declined slightly by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 370,000 in the week ended May 19 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
European manufacturing and services industries contracted in May. A composite index based on a survey of purchasing managers in manufacturing and services sectors declined to 45.9 from 46.7 in April, said the Markit Economics on Thursday.
Japan's trade deficit widened in April, as energy imports rose and exports of plastic and steel fell. Trade deficit came at 520.3 billion yen, said the Japan's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.
Swiss stocks edged lower on Wednesday, snapping two days of gains, on Greek exit concern.