Global stocks fall in April on Europe stress

The S&P 500 posted its first monthly decline since November on Monday, as stocks slipped on signs the US economy may be slowing and as a recession in Spain highlighted risks in the euro zone.

Despite Monday's decline, the picture was not overwhelmingly negative. The S&P closed out April with a decline of 0.8 percent, after four straight days of gains last week helped the index pare much steeper losses for the month.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 14.68 points, or 0.11 percent, to 13,213.63. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 5.45 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,397.91. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 22.84 points, or 0.74 percent, to 3,046.36.

European stocks snapped a four-session rally, with news of a recession in Spain putting the euro zone's economic and debt problems back in the spotlight and charts pointing to more market weakness as long as a key resistance level holds.

The Euro STOXX 50 index of euro zone bluechips closed down 1.6 percent at 2,306.43 points on Monday. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 fell by a more modest 0.8 percent, cushioned by the presence of Nordic stocks.

Japan's Nikkei share average ended lower in choppy trade and closed out its worst April since 2005 on Friday, after the Bank of Japan's move to boost its bond buying failed to ignite lasting confidence among investors over the fragile economy.

The benchmark Nikkei ended down 40.94 points at 9,520.89, reversing course after jumping as high as 9,691.70 shortly after the BOJ announcement.