Average starting pay for British jobs rose in May at the fastest pace in four months despite a 20% annual fall in the number of jobs on offer, figures from hiring platform Indeed showed, adding to the mixed picture on the inflation outlook.
Sales growth at British supermarkets slowed in June, reflecting wet weather, strength in sales last year and lower food inflation, industry data showed on Thursday.
Tokyo consumer price index inflation rose slightly more than expected in June as consumer spending picked up some pace, although a key core inflation reading remained largely subdued.
China's industrial profits rose at a sharply slower pace in May, official data showed on Thursday, underlining the struggles faced by the world's second-largest economy as weak domestic demand crimps overall growth.
China's manufacturing activity likely contracted for a second month in June, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, keeping alive calls for fresh stimulus after a string of recent indicators showed the economy struggling to get back on its feet.
New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods unexpectedly fell in May, suggesting that business spending on equipment weakened in the second quarter as borrowing costs remain elevated.