World stocks traded near a one-month low on Monday and the dollar and German bonds held firm as investors worried about the economic impact of possible western sanctions on Moscow after Crimea voted to separate from Ukraine.
U.S. Treasury yields ticked higher from a 1-1/2 week low set last week. Friday's data showing a record drop in foreign governments' holdings of Treasuries underscored the appetite of emerging countries like Russia for cashing in their holdings to defend their currencies.
British Foreign Minister William Hague said he expects European Union ministers to agree sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes against Russian and Crimean individuals following Sunday's referendum.
Investors are worried that sanctions, which are likely to hit Russia's already flagging economy, may also weigh on European companies that are exposed to Russia.
German 10-year Bund yields, the benchmark for euro zone borrowing costs, were flat at 1.55%, not far from Friday's eight-month lows of 1.506%
The euro was under pressure ahead of final euro-zone inflation data for February. A Reuters poll forecast no revision to the annual rate of 0.8% reported, but there is a risk it could be revised down, keeping alive concerns about disinflation.
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