U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in December, bolstered by growth in orders and production. The Institute for Supply Management's factory index rose to 53.9 in December from 52.7 in November, the company said on Tuesday. Reading above 50.0 indicates industry expansion.
Unemployment in Europe's largest economy decreased by 22 thousand people in December to a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.8 per cent, the lowest since 1991, said the Federal Statistical Office of Germany on Tuesday.
Japanese stocks gained on Friday led by signals the U.S. economy is recovering. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.67%, or 56.46 points, to 8,455.35, while the broader Topix grew 0.90%, or 6.49, to 728.61.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, gained 0.67%, or 39.63 points, to 5,936.23. The broader Swiss Performance Index rose 0.64%, or 33.93 points, to 5,343.52.
The U.K. government plans to do more to help the economy recover, said Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday. It will also use the London Olympic Games to show what the country can achieve despite turbulent times.
U.S. stocks edged lower on the last trading day of 2011. Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 0.43%, or 5.42 points, to 1,257.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.57%, or 69.48 points, to 12,217.56. The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite fell 0.33%, or 8.59, to 2,605.15.
Spain's public deficit for 2012 may exceed initial estimate of 8 per cent of the gross domestic product, said the economy minister on Monday, fuelling concerns the economy faces a prolonged period of contraction.
Japanese stocks gained on Friday led by signals the U.S. economy is recovering. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.67%, or 56.46 points, to 8,455.35, while the broader Topix grew 0.90%, or 6.49, to 728.61.
Swiss stocks closed higher on Friday after the Swiss National Bank said its foreign currency reserves increased.
U.K. month on month house prices edged lower 0.2% in December, said the Nationwide Building Society on Friday, as the debt crisis in Europe undermines consumer confidence and pushes up unemployment.
Rising consumer confidence, decrease in unemployment claims and better retail sales indicate the U.S. economy is gaining steam, despite hurdles in Europe and much of the rest of the world.
Spain's new conservative government announced Friday 8.9 billion euros ($11.54 billion) in austerity measures in 2012, with the budget shortfall of 8 per cent of gross domestic product, well above a target of 6 per cent.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Thursday and Euro dropped to a 10-year low against the yen after the European Central Bank balance sheet increased to record 2.73 trillion euros. The Nikkei 225 shed 0.29%, or 24.73 points, to 8,398.89, while the broader Topix rose 0.09%, or 0.67, to 722.12.
Swiss stocks closed little changed on Thursday after Italian bond auction and amid low trading volume on the market.
U.K. stocks rose on Thursday on better-than-expected economic data from U.S. The benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 1.08%, or 59.37 points, to 5,566.77. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 0.98%, or 27.70 points, to 2,853.58.
More Americans applied for jobless benefits during the week ended December 24 than for the previous period. New applications for unemployment benefits rose for the first time in a month to 381 thousand in the week ended December 24, said the Department of Labor on Thursday. Economists expected the reading to increase to 372 thousand.
Italy sold almost 20 billion of debt during this week, pushing yields on government securities lower but failing to reassure investors over the nation's ability to raise finance in the markets next year.
Japan's industrial output tumbled 2.3% in November, compared to the previous month, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Wednesday. Economists expected the reading to drop by 0.7 per cent.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, rose 0.14%, or 8.34 points, to 5,895.25. The broader Swiss Performance Index gained 0.05%, or 2.80 points, to 5,304.90.
The U.K. job market faces "slow, painful contraction", said the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in a report, adding the number of employed people is likely to decrease by 120,000 in 2012.
U.S. retail sales rose 4.5 per cent for the week ended December 24, compared to the same period last year as shops offered discounts to lure consumers, said the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. on Wednesday.
Italy raised 9 billion euros in an auction on Wednesday, more than expected, benefiting from lower yields as Rome's recent austerity measures and the ECB long-term refinancing operation have helped to ease strains in the market.
Japanese stocks dropped on Tuesday amid slow holiday trading. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.46%, or 38.78 points, to 8,440.56, while the broader Topix fell 0.30%, or 2.19, to 724.25.
Swiss stocks snapped a five-day rally on Tuesday after S&P/CS report showed U.S. house prices fell more than expected.The Swiss blue-chip index SMI, a measure of the largest and most actively traded companies, shed 0.12%, or 6.98 points, to 5,886.91. The broader Swiss Performance Index edged lower 0.13%, or 6.85 points, to 5,302.10.