European stocks were largely muted on Monday following a survey that indicated Eurozone manufacturing activity continued to contract in August.
The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) remained at 45.8 in August, consistent with July's figure. In contrast, the U.K. manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.5 in August from 52.1 in July, marking a 26-month high driven by increased output, new orders, and employment.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index dipped by 0.3 percent to 523.28, after closing relatively unchanged but with a slight positive tilt on Friday. Germany's DAX declined by 0.2 percent, France's CAC 40 fell by 0.3 percent, and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 edged down 0.1 percent.
The dollar reached a two-week high against the euro in anticipation of several critical U.S. economic reports due this week, including the non-farm payrolls data scheduled for Friday.
Danske Bank, a Danish financial institution, saw its shares rise by about 1 percent after announcing the appointment of Cecile Hillary as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding the retiring Stephan Engels.
Concurrent Technologies, a British manufacturer of computer products and mission-critical solutions, surged 6.5 percent following the release of record interim results.
In contrast, Kainos Group, an Irish software company, plummeted 15 percent after forecasting that its full-year revenues would fall short of market expectations.
Shares of Rightmove skyrocketed 21 percent after Australian digital advertising company REA Group confirmed it is considering a potential cash and share offer for the British online real estate portal.
Atos, a French IT services company, tumbled 3.6 percent as it adjusted its annual revenue guidance to better reflect the current business conditions in its key markets.
Sanofi, the pharmaceutical giant, gained nearly 2 percent after announcing plans to commence discussions about filing its oral BTK inhibitor tolebrutinib for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
