Stocks down across the globe

On Monday a sense of unease lingered across markets, with global stocks falling as investors weigh looming security risks and French bonds retreating ahead of the election. The dollar edged higher with Treasuries and oil advanced.

Futures for the S&P 500 reversed an advance after an American aircraft carrier bound for Australia was diverted to North Asia, sparking a selloff in South Korea on speculation the U.S. could take a more aggressive stance against its northern neighbor. French bonds fell, widening the yield spread over Germany to the highest since February after polls showed the country’s presidential election is becoming a four-way contest. European stocks edged lower as equities in France gave up ground.

A Credit Suisse gauge tracking how much investors are paying for equity protection has rallied. While demand for haven assets has eased as financial markets attempt to shrug off Friday’s disappointing U.S. employment figures, a ratcheting up of geopolitical tensions and Europe’s looming test of populism look set to curtail optimism.

The U.K. economy is in focus. Inflation probably slowed in March, tomorrow’s report may show, though the headline rate should pick up in coming months. Employment figures are likely to have remained steady on Wednesday, while wage growth slowed.

The MSCI All-Country World Index fell 0.1 percent, the same as the Stoxx Europe 600 Index. Futures on the S&P 500 were flat. The underlying gauge lost 0.3 percent last week.

Gold fell 0.2 percent to $1,252.60 per ounce. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.7 percent to $52.58 a barrel, after climbing more than 1 percent in each of the previous two sessions. WTI has gained for five straight days, the longest winning streak of the year.

Equities in Tokyo and Sydney climbed with traders in the Asia Pacific region taking their first chance to react to worse-than-forecast U.S. hiring data.