British retail sales unexpectedly held steady in February, according to data that chimed with improving confidence among consumers about the outlook for their finances with inflation slowing and interest rates likely to come down too.

British manufacturers increased their expectations for selling prices for a third month in a row to the highest level in almost a year as Red Sea shipping disruption hurts supply chains, an industry survey showed.

Asian shares dithered on Monday as investors worried U.S. inflation data this week could derail the outlook for lower interest rates, while the risk of currency intervention from Japan stalled the yen's decline for the moment.

Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Monday on concern over tighter global supply brought about by escalating conflict in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, while a shrinking U.S. rig count added to upward price pressure.

New car sales in the European Union rose 10.1% year-on-year in February, with the bloc's main markets all recording solid growth, Europe's automakers association said on Thursday.

Euro zone business activity was within a whisker of returning to growth in March, outperforming expectations, according to a survey which showed inflationary pressures bucked a recent trend and eased this month.