GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks grind towards record highs in inflation-heavy week
Global stocks neared record highs on Monday, in a week where inflation figures could make or break expectations for earlier U.S. rate cuts, while Chinese activity data will test optimism about a sustained recovery in the world's No. 2 economy. While U.S. inflation data will take centre-stage, reports on Chinese retail sales and industrial output could also have a big impact on overall investor sentiment. The improved sentiment has helped lift Chinese blue chips to a seven-month high and the positive vibes carried over into Europe, where the STOXX 600 held near record highs and U.S. stock futures rose 0.1%.