Global Markets Start Week Mixed Ahead of Interest Rate Decisions

By Dow Jones Newswires StaffGlobal stocks started the week mixed, the dollar was steady, and gold continued to rise ahead of a big week for central bank decisions.The Federal Reserve is expected to stick to a pause this week as concerns grow about a weakening U.S. economic outlook. Interest-rate decisions are also due in Japan, the U.K., Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Taiwan and Indonesia.U.S retail sales data are due at 0830 am ET Monday. Nvidia's artificial intelligence conference starts and will be driver for tech stocks.Early Monday in Europe, U.S. futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6%. The dollar was flat against most major currencies, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down one basis point.Asian stock markets got a lift after the latest China retail sales and industrial output data came in better than expected. In South Korea, tech-related stocks led by Samsung rose ahead of Nvidia's key annual AI conference. Kospi finished the day 1.7% higher.In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 climbed 0.1% in morning trading. The FTSE 100 was flat, as were stock markets in France and Germany. Eurozone government bond yields fell after Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Morningstar DBRS on Friday affirmed a number of credit ratings and outlooks, while Moody's upgraded Greece.Brent crude gained 0.6% to $70.99 a barrel, and WTI crude climbed 0.6% to $67.60 a barrel. Gold futures slipped 0.2% to $2,995.60 a troy ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $3,017.10/oz on Friday.Bitcoin rose 0.4% to $83,573. The cryptocurrency is higher after the U.S. government averted a shutdown Friday but the prospect of further imminent U.S. tariffs limits gains.Write to Barcelona Editors at [email protected]