Sales at each of the two big American-owned carmakers fell more than 25 percent from the month a year ago.

The number of loans approved for those taking their first foray on to the housing ladder fell by 10% in October from the month before.

Japan's overall wholesale prices fell 0.2 percent in March from the preceding month.

The only exception was at auto dealers, where sales fell 1 percent from the previous month.

Eurozone retail sales fell 0.7pc in September from the month before.

Tax revenue for September fell 14 percent from the month a year earlier, far more than expected.

At the same time, household spending fell 4.4 percent in December from the month a year ago, the third consecutive slide.

Industrial output fell three-tenths of 1 percent from the previous month.

Output fell 1.5 percent in January from the previous month, government data showed on Wednesday.

Sales in the Northeast fell 5.4 percent from the previous month.