In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.22 percent lower with most sectors and bourses in negative territory. Auto stocks were under pressure, down by 0.38 percent, as trade concerns weighed on sentiment. Ryanair shares fell 6.69 percent, making it among the biggest losers Monday. The airline reported that average fares would be lower than expected this summer amid market competition and uncertainty caused by several strikes. Travel and leisure stocks were among the worst performing in Europe, down 0.94 percent.

In Currency Markets the yen strengthened broadly on Monday following a Reuters report that the Bank of Japan was debating moves to scale back its massive monetary stimulus, spurring bids for the Japanese currency. The yen reached a two-week peak at 110.74 yen per dollar before easing to 111.27 yen, which was up 0.1 percent from Friday. It strengthened to a two-week high at 129.85 yen per euro before retreating to 130.33 yen, up 0.25 percent on the day. Sterling fell to a three-week low against a resurgent yen.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose on Monday on worries over supply after tensions worsened between Iran and the United States, while some offshore workers began a 24-hour strike on three oil and gas platforms in the British North Sea. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday backed a suggestion by President Hassan Rouhani that Iran could block Gulf oil shipments if its exports were stopped. Brent crude oil rose 42 cents a barrel to $73.49. U.S. light crude was up 23 cents at $68.49 a barrel. U.S. crude earlier gained more than $1 a barrel to touch a high of $69.31.

In US Equity Markets indexes fell on Monday, led by losses in shares of Amazon and technology companies. Amazon.com fell 1.4 percent and was the biggest drag on the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on the online giant. The S&P 500 was down 0.17 percent, at 2,797.07 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.52 percent, at 7,779.75. Hasbro jumped 11.1 percent, the most on the benchmark S&P 500, after the toy-maker’s quarterly revenue and profit topped analysts’ estimates.

In Bond Markets Germany’s 10-year bond yield rose to its highest level in just over a month on Monday, following a jump in Japanese government bond yields on reports that the Bank of Japan was debating moves to scale back its massive monetary stimulus. Japan’s 10-year yield rose to a six-month high at 0.090 percent after sources told Reuters on Friday the BOJ was holding preliminary discussions on possible changes to its monetary policy. Across the euro zone, most 10-year bond yields were up 3-4 basis points on the day.