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German unemployment increased for the second month in February, but the number of unemployed rose less than expected despite strong winter and stagnation in the economy.

Thursday, the European Commission left its 2010 economic growth forecast for both Eurozone and EU27 unchanged at 0.7% and said the economy is recovering, but still facing headwinds.

Eurozone economic sentiment indicator fell to 95.9 in February from 96 in January after ten months of uninterrupted increases, results of a survey conducted by the European Commission showed Thursday. Economists had forecast a reading of 96.4.

Consumer confidence among the French worsened unexpectedly in February, throwing into doubt the strength of the country’s economic recovery.

The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed in Germany rose 7,000 month-on-month to 3.43 million in February, the Federal Labor Agency said Thursday. Economists had forecast an increase of 16,000.

Employment in Switzerland fell 0.1% year-on-year to 3.96 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, data released by the Federal Statistics Office showed Thursday. At the same time, the employment outlook indicator rose 0.4%.

India’s economy is on the way to record 9% growth and more after bouncing back from the global economic slowdown, the finance ministry said in its economic survey 2009-10, presented before the parliament on Thursday.

Hong Kong’s Census & Statistics Department announced on Thursday that the city-state’s trade deficit stood at HK$29.51 billion in January, compared to HK$33.45 billion a month ago. Economists were looking for a deficit of HK$17.40 billion.

Business confidence in New Zealand rose to its highest since April 2009, the latest survey from the the National Bank of New Zealand showed on Thursday.

Business investment growth in Australia surged more than expected in the December quarter.