European stocks opened higher Monday as investors brace for a busy week of central bank meetings.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.38% at 8:05 a.m. in London, with most major markets in positive territory. The U.K.’s FTSE gained 0.43%, Germany’s DAX rose 0.44%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.30%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB climbed 0.63%.
The European Central Bank (ECB) holds its final policy meeting of the year on Thursday, with rates expected to remain at 2%. ECB President Christine Lagarde said the bank may raise its growth forecasts for 2025. Other central banks, including the Bank of England, Riksbank, and Norges Bank, will also announce year-end monetary policy decisions this week.
Investors are also watching Eurozone and U.K. inflation data due Wednesday, alongside a European leaders’ summit on Ukraine funding, which could include billions from frozen Russian assets to support a €210 billion loan to Kyiv.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. stock futures were little changed Sunday night following a mixed week on Wall Street. Traders await key economic data this week, including November nonfarm payrolls, October retail sales, and the November consumer price index.
