In April, employment rose more than expected and hiring was much stronger than previously thought in the prior two months, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The announcement eased concerns belt-tightening in Washington was dealing a big blow to the economy.

Recent industry data suggests that car sales rose in Germany and Spain last month to add to the signs that the austerity-driven auto slump of Europe could soon bottom out.

National industry body data showed that registrations in Germany, the region's biggest market, advanced 3.8 percent for the first gain in six months, while car sales in Spain jumped 11 percent. This was the biggest advance in Germany since December 2011.

The European Commission said in a statement recently that Portugal must stick to targets agreed with international lenders if it wants more time to repay bailout loans.

The constitutional court of the country rejected four out of nine contested austerity measures from this year's budget, which is seen as a blow to government finances but still seems unlikely derail the bailed-out country's reforms.

On Monday, Asian shares and the euro rose after European Union sources revealed the President of Cyprus and the EU have agreed the outlines of a rescue deal to avert financial meltdown on the Mediterranean island.

On May 3, the U.S. dollar climbed more than 1.0 percent against the yen and global equity markets surged, boosted by a U.S. labor report showing stronger-than-expected jobs growth in April.

The Greek parliament has approved a legislation to boost private investment, a key condition to get the crisis-struck country out of its worst-ever peacetime recession.

The largest bank of Russia has outlined a plan to investors under which the bank, Sberbank, is planning to enhance efficiency while sustaining profits over a period of five years, according to a senior executive and a company presentation.

On Friday, Wall Street stocks fell as a drop in JPMorgan Chase led to the end of the 10-day rally of Dow Jones industrial average while the United States dollar retreated from a high of seven months despite more signs the U.S. economy is strengthening.

On Monday, European shares edged away from 4 ½ -year highs as weak economic data from China and concerns about Italy undermined the optimism that was generated by the strong U.S. jobs numbers last week.

On Monday, Asian shares and the euro were steady but trading remained subdued with some Asian markets, including Australia and Hong Kong, and Europe still closed for Easter holidays.

Asian shares on Friday edged higher and the single currency steadied after Cyprus banks reopened to relative calm. Most markets in Asia, the United States, and Europe were shut on Friday for Easter.