Fresh turbulence in U.S. banks and debt ceiling woes in Washington suggest recent stability in world markets will most certainly be put to the test in May.
Meetings at the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and Australia's central bank top the agenda, while megacap Apple brings the U.S. earnings season to an end, as markets work through fresh banking tremors.
Investors are gearing up for a busy week ahead, when the bulk of the S&P 500 components report earnings, the dollar could see if it's regained any forex-appeal and the Bank of Japan's new governor chairs his first policy meeting.
European Central Bank officials are still banging the inflation drum and suggesting interest rates must keep rising, but there's enough nervousness about banks or a possible policy misstep to mean they face an uphill battle convincing markets.
The balancing act between slowing growth and sticky price pressures is top of the agenda ahead of U.S. inflation data and the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings in Washington.