The US employment trends index fell from a downwardly-revised reading of 100.1 in April (previously 100.5) to 99.7 in May.

The broader measure of European shares fell for a fourth straight day on Monday on continued concerns about the health of the global economy. There was also an element of caution ahead of the European Central Bank meeting on Thursday. But mining shares rose with BHP Billiton up 0.9pct in London trade and Rio Tinto up 1.0pct. The FTSEurofirst index fell by 0.6pct but while the German Dax was down by 0.3pct, the UK FTSE gained 0.1pct.

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US sharemarkets fell again on Monday. Investors continue to fret about the softening economy. And airline stocks fell after global industry body, IATA, halved its profit expectations for 2011. Shares in Delta Airlines lost 3pct. The Dow Jones fell by 61pts or 0.5pct with the S&P 500 down by 1.1pct and the Nasdaq lost 30pts or 1.1pct.

US treasury prices ended little-changed on Monday. There was no major economic data to provide guidance and traders were not keen to take positions ahead of auctions later in the week. Treasury will sell $32 billion of 3-year notes on Tuesday, $21 billion of 10-year notes on Wednesday and $13 billion of 30-year notes on Thursday. US 2yr yields were flat at 0.429pct and US 10yr yields rose 1pt to 3.00pct.

The US dollar clawed back some of its recent losses against major currencies in European and US trade on Monday. The Euro eased from highs near US$1.4655 to US$1.4560, before ending US trade near US$1.4670. The Aussie dollar eased from highs near US107.65c to near US106.90c before ending US trade near US107.05c. And the Japanese yen held between 79.95 yen per US dollar and JPY80.35, ending US trade near JPY80.15.

Crude oil prices fell on Monday in choppy trade on expectations that OPEC oil ministers will raise production quotas at their meeting on Wednesday. On-going instability in the Middle East and North Africa limited losses. The Nymex crude oil contract fell by US$1.21 or 1.2pct to US$99.01 a barrel after trading from US$98.64 to US$100.68 a barrel. And London Brent crude fell by US$1.36 to US$114.48 a barrel.

Base metal prices were mixed on the London Metal Exchange on Monday. The tin price fell 1.5pct and nickel lost 0.8pct but other metals rose 0.4-0.9pct except lead which gained 2.7pct. And the gold price also edged closer to record highs on Monday with Comex gold futures up by US$4.80 an ounce to US$1,547.20.

Ahead: In Australia, the Reserve Bank Board meets to decide interest rate settings. In the US, the Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke is expected to deliver a speech. Data on consumer credit and weekly chain store sales are also due.

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