The Chicago Fed national activity index rose from -0.7 to 0 in July. The zero value in the index indicates a national economy expanding at historical averages.

European shares rallied off one-month lows on Monday, as M&A activity boosted the financial sector. HSBC said it was in talks to buy up to 70pct of Nedbank - South Africa´s fourth largest bank. Mining stocks were bid higher as investors bet that the Australian mining tax could be scrapped following the inconclusive election result. The FTSEurofirst index rose by 0.6pct while the UK FTSE gained 0.8pct and the German Dax was higher by 0.1pct.

US shares fell in light trade on Monday as the M&A activity failed to override investor concerns about a slowing US economy. Cyclical stocks led the weakness with Caterpillar losing 2.9pct, while defensive stocks including utilities and healthcare recorded modest gains. The S&P500 fell through a recent support level of 1,170 towards the end of the session, closing down 0.4pct. The Dow Jones fell by 39pts or 0.4pct while the Nasdaq fell by 20pts or 0.9pct.

US treasuries rallied (yields lower) on Monday as the $7 billion auction of 30yr TIPS found strong support. Traders continued to raise bets that US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low, driving benchmark yields to 16-month lows. US 2yr yields fell by 2pts to 0.48pct and US 10yr yields were lower by 2pts to 2.60pct.

The euro fell against the greenback, following a modest fall in the latest Euro zone PMI reading. The Euro fell from highs near US$1.2730 to US$1.2650, ending US trade near US$1.2660. The Aussie dollar traded between US89.05c to US89.75c, ending US trade near US89.15c. And the Japanese yen strengthened from 85.40 yen per US dollar to JPY85.10, ending US trade near JPY85.20.

US crude oil prices fell for a fourth straight session on Monday hitting a six-week low. The firmer US dollar and slide in gasoline futures weighed on crude prices. The Nymex crude oil contract fell by US72c or 1pct to US$73.10. London Brent crude fell by US64c to US$73.62 a barrel.

Base metal prices were mostly weaker on the London Metal Exchange on Monday, as the US dollar firmed against the Euro. Nickel lost 1.6pct while Zinc gave back 0.7pct. And the Comex gold price eased further on Monday in line with other commodities and a firmer greenback. Comex gold fell by US30c an ounce to US$1,228.50.

Ahead: In Australia, no economic data is released. Earnings results are expected from GPT, Fosters, Mirvac and Origin energy. In the US existing homes sales is due for release.