Analysts at Danske Bank suggest that after better-than-expected Chinese and euro area data triggered a sell-off in global bond markets on Friday, markets will pay close attention to a range of sentiment indicators released on both sides of the Atlantic later this week.

“Today we start the week in a somewhat quiet fashion , with the US Empire Manufacturing index the only data release of interest. The US manufacturing sector has not been immune to the global slowdown and we will look to see whether the April figure points to any trend reversal. On the political front, EU ministers are expected to vote today on approving the negotiating mandate for the Commission to start trade talks with the US . With cracks in the EU's united front not only showing with regard to the Brexit strategy, focus will be on whether France openly opposes the start of the negotiations.”