The euro zone's current account surplus rose to 4.5 billion euros in January, the highest level in almost five years, from 3.4 billion euros in December, said the European Central Bank on Monday.
Japanese stocks advanced for a fourth consecutive day on Friday after reports on employment and manufacturing showed the world's largest economy is expanding.
Swiss stocks rose on Friday, extending gains from the previous seven days of trading.
U.K. stocks edged higher on Friday, led by banking shares.
U.S. industrial production was little changed in February, compared to the previous month, said the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.
European exports rose for a third straight month in January, adding to signs the region is recovering after contraction in the fourth quarter. The 17-nation currency bloc posted a trade deficit of 7.6 billion euros in January, said the European Union's statistics agency Eurostat on Friday.
Japanese stocks ended Wednesday's session higher after a report showed U.S. retail prices rose and the Fed raised its assessment of the world's largest economy.
Swiss stocks gained for a sixth consecutive day, led by financial shares after most of the largest U.S. banks passed an annual stress test.
U.K. unemployment rose to 2.67 million or 8.4 per cent in January, according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics. The number of people claiming for unemployment benefits rose by 7,200 to 1.61 million in February.
Import prices rose in February led by higher petroleum costs, while food prices posted their largest decrease in three years. Overall import prices advanced 0.4 per cent.
Euro zone consumer prices rose in February, piling pressure on the ECB after it refrained from raising interest rates this month. The inflation rate rose 2.7 per cent from the same period last year, said the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) on Wednesday.
Bank of Japan rejected legislators' calls to boost asset purchases for a second consecutive month.
Swiss stocks gained for a fifth consecutive day after the euro area's finance chiefs approved a second bailout package for Greece.
U.K. trade deficit widened less than expected - to 7.5 billion pounds in January from 7.2 billion pounds in December, said the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
U.S. month on month retail sales grew at a fastest pace in five months in February, suggesting the worlds largest economy is gaining steam even despite rising gasoline prices, said the Census Bureau on Tuesday. Total retail sales rose 1.1 per cent from January.
An index of German investor confidence rose to 22.3 in March, the highest level in more than 20 months, from 5.4 in February, said the ZEW Centre for European Economic Research on Tuesday. ZEW sentiment is based on a survey conducted among 350 German investors and analysts, who are asked to assess the six-month economic outlook.
Japanese core machinery orders rose more than expected in January, a sign the economy is picking up. Orders rose 3.4 per cent from December, said the Cabinet Office on Monday.
Swiss stocks closed little changed on Monday. Roche Holding AG rose 0.6 per cent. Basilea Pharmaceutica AG soared 4.7 per cent.
U.K. stocks were mostly flat on Monday.
U.S. stocks were flat on Monday.
Greece's successful bond swap deal should reassure markets about the nation's future, said Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Monday.
Japanese stocks rose for a second day on Friday as Greece pushed through the bond swap.
Swiss stocks edged higher on Friday after Greece reached its target for bondholder participation in the bond swap.
U.K. manufacturing output rose less than expected in January, said the Office for National Statistics on Thursday. Factory output gained 0.1 per cent from December, a sign the economy is still facing headwinds.