Gold holds near one-month peak as dollar and stock markets soften

Gold hit its highest since May 1 on Friday at $1,269.50 an ounce, as nervousness over U.S. President Donald Trump's negotiations with other world leaders at the G7 summit prompted investors to buy bullion as an alternative to nominally higher-risk assets such as shares. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,267.74 an ounce at 1005 GMT, with U.S. gold futures for June delivery down 0.1 percent at $1,267.30. A 0.1 percent retreat in the dollar index underpinned prices, but moves were muted, with traders in the United States, London and China all out for national holidays.

Oil slips as more U.S. drilling outweighs OPEC-led cuts

Oil prices slipped on Monday as further increases in U.S. drilling activity undercut an OPEC-led push to tighten supply. Trading was subdued due to public holidays in China, the United States and Britain, but concerns lingered over whether OPEC action would be enough to stem the tide of oversupply. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were also down 17 cents at $49.63 per barrel.

CN Rail conductors could walk off job Tuesday

European shares off to sluggish start to week, banks weak

Euro zone shares fell slightly on Monday, pulling back further from their highest point in almost two years, dragged lower by financials and as holidays in major markets such as the UK and the United States kept investors away. Regional banks were among the biggest drags, however, as investors continued to lock in some gains following the sector's stellar run from last summer's lows. Spanish-listed shares of International Airlines Group , the parent company of British Airways, fell 2.5 percent.

Saudi’s Alawwal Bank picks JPMorgan to advise on merger -sources

Saudi Arabian lender Alawwal Bank , 40 percent owned by Royal Bank of Scotland, has picked JPMorgan to advise it on a proposed merger with Saudi British Bank (SABB), sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. Senior management of SABB and Alawwal held talks with advisers on Sunday to discuss the principle of the merger and timeframe for its completion, one of the sources said.

Kelly defends plan for Russia back channel as a 'good thing'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is defending an alleged effort by top White House adviser Jared Kushner to create back-channel communications with Russia, describing it as a "good thing" as the Trump administration sought to quell mounting questions over secret ties to the Kremlin.

Trump budget draws ire, concern from minority communities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Advocates for minority communities say President Donald Trump's proposed budget answers the question he famously posed to black Americans during his campaign: "What the hell do you have to lose?"