FX.co ★ European Stocks Rise on Monday

European equities opened the week higher, with the STOXX 50 up 1.1% and the STOXX 600 advancing 0.7%, as oil prices fell for a fourth consecutive session, easing some inflationary pressure. Sentiment was further buoyed by optimism ahead of this week’s summit between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, after Washington described its preparatory talks with Beijing as “very successful”. Investors were also assessing the outcome of state elections in Germany. The CDU posted a very weak result, increasing the pressure on Chancellor Merz. The far-right AfD took the lead in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while in Berlin the Left emerged as the largest party. Technology stocks were among the strongest gainers, with ASML Holding, Infineon and STMicroelectronics each adding about 2.8%. Societe Generale climbed roughly 3.6%, making it one of the top performers on the STOXX 600 after the bank raised its profitability target.