Euro zone inflation slower further and even underlying price pressures appear to have peaked, Eurostat data showed on Friday, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to keep raising rates after its fastest rate-hike cycle on record.

British retailers reported a bigger-than-expected drop in sales in July as heavy rain put off shoppers who are also feeling the hit from high inflation and 14 back-to-back increases in interest rates.

Japan's core consumer prices slowed in July, supporting expectations the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will be in no rush to phase out monetary easing, even as inflation remains stubbornly above the central bank's target.

Asian markets stumbled on Monday after China delivered a smaller cut to lending rates than markets had counted on, continuing Beijing's run of disappointing stimulus steps.

Oil prices were steady on Monday with Brent staying above $80 a barrel, as investors balanced tightening supply driven by OPEC+ cuts with nagging concerns about global demand growth amid high interest rates.

The dollar began on a firm footing on Monday, following five straight weeks of gains, as investors looked ahead to Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium for a guide on where rates might settle when the dust of this hiking cycle clears.