The euro zone's services sector expanded more slowly in February than previously expected, but firms recorded an increase in backlogs of work for the first time in two years, a survey showed on Wednesday. 

WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Pending sales of existing U.S. homes edged up as expected in December, while home vacancies rose in the fourth quarter, pointing to a slow and painful recovery for the troubled housing market.

TOKYO, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Japan's core consumer prices fell 1.3 percent in December from a year earlier, the 10th straight month of annual declines, as weak consumer demand keeps the country mired in deflation.

Japan's jobless rate edged down in December and the availability of jobs improved for the fourth month in a row. Following is a table of Japan's job data with economists' median forecasts in parentheses:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent from 5.2 percent in November, government figures showed on Friday. That was better than median market forecast of 5.3 percent.

The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell last week in a sign of stronger labor market conditions, but the drop was less than expected, government data showed on Thursday.

WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Sales of newly built U.S. single-family homes fell unexpectedly in December as the bounce from an initial tax credit fizzled, the latest sign that the government-led housing recovery might be losing some steam.

TOKYO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Japan's industrial output rose 2.2 percent in November, revised data showed on Monday, as rising exports to Asia support a recoverying economy. [JPIP11=ECI]

TOKYO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Japan's industrial output rose 2.2 percent in November, revised data showed on Monday, as rising exports to Asia support a recoverying economy. [JPIP11=ECI]