It was a lacklustre finish to the month for global markets overnight, with most major indices logging only minor moves in either direction.

There were small declines on Wall Street after June Chicago-area manufacturing activity missed expectations.

Still the first half of 2014 was a very strong one for US markets, with the S&P500 surging six percent over the last six months.

In Europe, trader focus was on eurozone CPI data for June. The figures showed regional inflation ran below expectations, strengthening the case for further ECB monetary easing in coming months.

In commodity markets, Nymex crude rose slightly ahead of this week's US supply report, which is expected to reveal a decline in inventories.

Gold capped a stellar month with another gain. The precious metal leapt six percent in June amid geopolitical uncertainty and a continuation of easy money policies from the Fed and ECB.

Of the other major metals, palladium, platinum and copper enjoyed monthly gains of between one and two percent amid concerns over tighter global supply.

Among the currencies, the greenback was weaker across the board, largely due to the disappointing Chicago PMI read.

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