Italy back in recession, Japan's leading index rises

The euro area's economic recovery is looking uncertain again after some weak data on Wednesday.

Italy reported that its economy shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter after contracting 0.1 percent in the previous quarter, putting it back in recession.

Germany reported that factory orders there fell 3.2 percent in June.

Outside the euro area, UK industrial production rose 0.3 percent in June.

In the US, a report on Wednesday showed that the trade deficit shrank in June as imports fell 1.2 percent while exports rose 0.1 percent.

Earlier on Wednesday, Japan reported that its leading index rose in June for the first time in five months, climbing to 105.5 from 104.8 in May.

Its coincident index, though, fell to 109.4 in June from 111.2 in the previous month.