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.
U.K. retails sales declined by the most since 2010 in April on fall in petrol sales and bad weather. Sales edged lower by 2.3 from March, said the Office for National Statistics.
Sales of new U.S. homes rose by more than expected in April, Commerce Department data showed on Wednesday.
European stocks tumbled on Wednesday, after rising by the most in a month on Tuesday, on speculation Greece may exit the euro zone.
Fitch credit rating agency cut Japan's local currency credit rating by one notch to A plus with a negative outlook from AA minus. It also lowered long-term foreign currency rating to A plus from AA.
Swiss stocks rose on Tuesday after a report showed existing home sales in the world's largest economy rose for the first time in three months.
Inflation in the U.K. eased by more than forecast in April, giving the Bank of England slightly more room for action. Year-on-year inflation rate fell to 3 per cent in April from 3.5 per cent in March, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
U.S. existing home sales rose in April to an annual rate of 4.62 million from 4.47 million in March, said the National Association of Realtors.
European stocks rose by the most in a month on Tuesday.
Japanese stocks closed mixed on Monday.
Swiss stocks rose on Monday on Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's pledge to focus more on bolstering growth.
U.K. national house prices stagnated in March, announced the Rightmove Plc, owner of the U.K.'s largest residential property Web site, on Monday. London house values rose 0.9 per cent from April to an average of 469,314 pounds as investors search for a safe haven from the debt crisis.
U.S. equity market edged higher on Monday on China stimulus hopes and after German and French officials said they would cooperate to keep Greece in the monetary union.
European stocks edged higher on Monday on China's pledge to boost growth.
Following gradual expansion of exports and increase of private consumption, Japan's government improved the outlook, expecting further improvement of economic conditions, as recently suggested by accelerating advancement of the gross domestic product.
David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, believes that breaking down trade barriers would be the best catalyst for the global economic recovery. The prime minister will encourage trade negotiations between the EU and the US.
Swiss stocks fell, heading for their biggest weekly drop since November, as industrial goods and services companies slumped amid signs of slowing growth in China and as Moody's Investors Service downgraded Spanish lenders.
Fed policymakers might potentially launch another round of Operation Twist rather than a direct asset purchases in case of increased risks or further weakening of the US economy. On April 25 Ben Bernanke announced he was ready to implement further actions for economy's stimulation in case of such necessity. However, the Fed head does not see any need for immediate
European stocks edged lower after Fitch downgraded Greece's credit rating to ‘CCC', implying that the country is vulnerable and highly dependent on favourable economic conditions to fulfill its financial obligations. Meanwhile, Moody's cut ratings of 16 Spanish banks and put 10 banks on negative credit watch. The benchmark Stoxx 600 lost 1% while Germany's DAX and France's CAC tumbled by
Following stagnation of the GDP during the previous year, Japan's leading indicator has advanced by 1% in the first quarter of 2012, as a result of steadfast personal spending, growth of exports and gradual healing of regions, affected by devastating natural disaster.
Swiss investor confidence fell for the first time since December, ending a 4-month rally and intensifying concerns that the economic recovery is stalling.