U.S. economic growth that keeps motoring above its potential is emerging as a key prop for an ongoing global expansion, but spillovers from persistently high inflation and tight monetary policy in the world's largest economy could pose new risks to a hoped-for "soft landing" around the world.

The dollar steadied on Monday, holding its biggest weekly gain since 2022, as escalating conflict in the Middle East and the prospect of stubbornly high U.S. interest rates gave support.

Oil prices fell during trade on Monday, as market participants dialled back risk premiums following Iran's attack on Israel late on Saturday which the Israeli government said caused limited damage.

China's economy is expected to have slowed in the first quarter as a protracted property downturn and weak private-sector confidence weigh on demand, maintaining pressures on policymakers to unveil more stimulus measures.

Most Asian stocks fell sharply on Monday as risk appetite was battered by an Iranian attack on Israel, while persistent concerns over higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates also weighed. 

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rose 12% in March versus the same month in 2023, with growth in China and the U.S. market partly offset by a 9% drop in Europe, market research firm Rho Motion said on Friday.