The University of Michigan released a report on Friday showing consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved in line with its preliminary estimate in the month of December. The report said the consumer sentiment index for December was unrevised from the preliminary estimate of 74.0, in line with economists' expectations. The consumer sentiment index increased from 71.8 in November.

Consumer prices in the U.S. crept slightly higher in the month of November, according to a closely watched report released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The Commerce Department said its personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index inched up by 0.1 percent in November after rising by 0.2 percent in October. Economists had expected prices to increase by another 0.2 percent.

UK retail sales grew for the first time in three months in November but the pace of expansion was weaker than expected as consumers were cautious in the wake of government's first budget. A closely watched survey showed that retailers reported a moderate fall in retail sales in December despite festive season and they forecast another decrease in January.

Russia's central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Friday, confounding expectations for a sharp hike.

UK car production posted its sharpest decline for the month of November since 1980 largely reflecting weaker global demand, data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed on Friday. Car production declined 30.1 percent on a yearly basis in November. This was the ninth consecutive decline.

The People's Bank of China maintained its interest rates unchanged for the second straight session on Friday. The PBoC maintained its one-year loan prime rate at 3.10 percent. Similarly, the five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was retained at 3.60 percent. The move was widely expected.

Retail sales and public sector finance from the UK and business and consumer confidence from Italy are due on Friday. At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics is slated to issue UK retail sales and public sector finance data. Sales are forecast to grow 0.5 percent on month in November, in contrast to the 0.7 percent fall in October. The budget deficit is seen narrowing to GBP 15.5 billion

The U.S. dollar climbed to a two-year high on Thursday on upbeat economic data and the Federal Reserve's signal that rate cuts next year will be fewer than previously expected.

The Conference Board released a report on Thursday showing its reading on leading U.S. economic indicators increased for the first time in well over two years in the month of November. The report said the leading economic index rose by 0.3 percent in November after falling by 0.4 percent in October. Economists had expected the index to edge down by 0.1 percent.

After reporting a significant rebound by U.S. existing home sales in the previous month, the National Association of Realtors released a report on Thursday showing another substantial increase by existing home sales in the month of November. NAR said existing home sales spiked by 4.8 percent to an annual rate of 4.15 million in November.

Philadelphia-area manufacturing activity declined overall in the month of December, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday. The Philly Fed said its diffusion index for current general activity slumped to a negative 16.4 in December from a negative 5.5 in November, with a negative reading indicating contraction.

The Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing the pace of U.S. economic growth unexpectedly surged by more than previously estimated in the third quarter. The report said gross domestic product shot up by 3.1 percent in the third quarter, reflecting an upward revision from the 2.8 percent jump previously reported. Economists had expected the pace of growth to be unrevised.

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits pulled back by more than expected in the week ended December 14th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 220,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 242,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to dip to 230,000.

The Bank of England decided to leave its benchmark rate unchanged on Thursday as majority of policymakers called for a gradual approach to the withdrawal of policy restrictiveness amid acceleration in inflation and wage growth, while the divide in the rate-setting body widened. The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 6-3 to hold the bank rate at 4.75 percent.

Sweden's central bank lowered its policy rate for a fifth time this year, cutting it by 25 basis points in order to support the economy and signaled one last reduction in the first half of next year. The Executive Board of Riksbank, led by Governor Erik Thedéen, decided to cut the policy rate to 2.50 percent from 3.0 percent on Thursday. The outcome matched expectations.

The Philippine central bank decided to reduce its benchmark rate by 25 basis points on Thursday as inflation is projected to remain within the target range and, hinted at further policy easing next year. The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas lowered the target reverse repurchase rate to 5.75 percent from 6.00 percent.

The British pound strengthened against other major currencies in the European session on Thursday, as investors braced for the Bank of England's last meeting of the year later in the day.

German consumer confidence recovered marginally towards the end of the year and it is forecast to rise again in January, survey data jointly published by the market research group GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions showed on Thursday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index posted -21.3 in January, up from -23.1 in December. The score was expected to rise to -22.6.

The Bank of Japan left its key interest rates unchanged for the third straight session on Thursday as it awaits more information on spring wage negotiations amid higher uncertainty over the US government policies. At the policy board meeting, members voted 8-1 to maintain the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain at around 0.25 percent. This was the highest since late 2008.

The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday, after the Bank of Japan left its key interest rates unchanged as policymakers were concerned about risks related to economic activity and prices.

The Bank of England is set to hold its bank rate on Thursday after easing the policy twice this year, as inflation remains above the 2 percent target and wage growth strengthened unexpectedly. The Monetary Policy Committee is forecast to leave the interest rate at 4.75 percent. The bank had reduced the rate by quarter-point each in November and August. The announcement is due at 7.00 AM ET.

In support of its dual goals of maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its widely expected decision to lower interest rates by another quarter point. The Fed said it decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 to 4.50 percent, matching the rate cut seen in early November.

While the Commerce Department released a report on Wednesday unexpectedly showing a continued slump by housing starts in the U.S. in the month of November, the report also showed a much bigger than expected surge by building permits. The Commerce Department said housing starts tumbled by 1.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.289 million in November after plunging by 3.2 percent to a revised rate of 1.312 million in October.

UK consumer price inflation accelerated to an eight-month high in November, reinforcing the chances of the Bank of England deciding to keep the interest rate unchanged on Thursday. The consumer price index rose 2.6 percent year-on-year following a 2.3 percent gain in October, the Office for National Statistics reported Wednesday.

Eurozone inflation grew at a slightly slower than initially estimated pace in November, revised data published by Eurostat showed on Wednesday. The harmonized index of consumer prices rose 2.2 percent year-on-year in November, following a 2.0 percent increase in October. The rate was revised down from 2.3 percent.