New orders for long-lasting U.S. factory goods rose less than forecast in February, a sign the economic recovery is facing hurdles. Durable goods orders increased 2.2 per cent from January, said the Commerce Department on Wednesday.
European stocks edged lower for a second day after European Central Bank Governing Council member Jens Weidmann said expansion of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) wouldn't help to solve the debt crisis.
Japan's industrial output unexpectedly declined in February. Production contracted 1.2 per cent, compared to January, said the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Friday.
Swiss stocks ended Friday's session higher after euro zone finance ministers agreed to boost the bloc's bailout lending limit to 700 billion euros.
U.K. consumer confidence slid in March as consumers became less optimistic about the outlook of the country's economy, GfK NOP Ltd. data showed on Friday. An index of sentiment decreased to -31 from -29 points in February.
U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in February, a sign the economy is strengthening. Purchases advanced 0.8 per cent from the previous month, after climbing 0.4 per cent in January.
Swiss stocks fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday after a report showed U.S. jobless claims fell less than expected.
Japanese stocks fell for a second day after a report showed orders for U.S. durable goods rose less than economists forecast. The Nikkei 225 erased 0.67%, or 67.78, to 10,114.79. The broader Topix fell 0.77%, or 6.69, to 857.74.
House prices in the U.K. edged lower 1 per cent to 163,327 pounds in March, the largest annual fall since June 2011, Nationwide Building Society data showed on Thursday.
The number of Americans claiming for unemployment benefits declined to 359 thousand in the week ended March 24 from the week before, said the Department of Labor on Thursday.
European stocks tumbled on Thursday, led by banks, after Standard & Poor's said Greece may have to restructure its debt again.
Swiss stocks retreated for a second day on Wednesday after a report showed U.S. durable goods orders increased less than expected in February.
Japanese stocks fell on Wednesday, after the Nikkei 225 rose the most in half a year on Tuesday. The Nikkei 225 retreated 0.71%, or 72.58, to 10,182.57. The broader Topix lost 0.92%, or 7.99, to 864.43.
U.K. economy contracted more than previously estimated in the fourth quarter of 2012, Office for National Statistics data showed on Wednesday. The U.K. economic growth has been revised down to -0.3 per cent.
Japanese stocks rose to a year's high on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke hinted U.S. interest rates are likely to remain at record low levels.
Swiss stocks fell on Tuesday after a report showed U.S. consumer confidence declined.
Retail sales in the U.K. stagnated in March, said the Confederation of British Industry on Tuesday. The index measuring sales rose to 0 from -2 in February. Above 0 indicates higher sales volume, below indicates lower.
German consumer confidence slid in March on higher gasoline prices, estimated GfK SE, the Nuremberg-based market research company. An index of sentiment decreased to 5.9 points in March from 6.0 in February.
German business confidence rose to an eight-month high in March, defying fears that the euro zone's largest economy has slipped into recession. Ifo business climate index, which is based on a survey of 7,000 businesses, rose to 109.8 points from 109.7 points in February.
Swiss stocks ended Monday's session higher, snapping five days of losses after German Ifo business confidence unexpectedly rose and the Fed said accommodative monetary policy is required to sustain employment growth.
Japanese stocks were little changed on Monday after higher commodity prices offset decrease in U.S. home sales. The Nikkei 225 gained 0.07%, or 6.77, to 10,018.24. The broader Topix retreated 0.08%, or 0.71, to 851.82.
U.K. stocks rose on Monday after a report showed that German Ifo business confidence rose to an eight-month high in March. The benchmark FTSE 100 index advanced 0.82%, or 47.81 points, to 5,902.70.
The U.S. economy needs to grow more rapidly to bring the unemployment rate down, said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The decline in unemployment to 8.3 per cent may reflect "a reversal of the unusually large layoffs that occurred during late 2008 and over 2009," Bernanke said in a speech Monday.
Japanese stocks tumbled on Friday after reports showed European manufacturing and services shrank more than expected. The Nikkei 225 retreated 1.14%, or 115.61, to 10,011.47. The broader Topix fell 1.11%, or 9.54, to 852.53.