Doha: European stocks closed mixed Monday, the first trading day of the week and the new month, as investors awaited central bank decisions and quarterly earnings announcements. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up 0.1 percent at 572.28 points, while France’s CAC 40 index fell 0.1 percent to 8,109.79 points. Britain’s FTSE 100 index declined 0.16 percent to 9,701.37 points, while Germany’s DAX index rose 0.7 percent to close at 16,272.56 points.
According to Qatar News Agency, European automakers led the gains today, with the Stoxx 600 Automotive and Parts index rising 1 percent. Technology stocks rose 0.6 percent, and travel and leisure stocks climbed 1.7 percent, boosted by Ryanair’s performance. On the other hand, mining stocks fell 1.5 percent, with Anglo American and Rio Tinto each declining by more than 2 percent. Meanwhile, Siemens shares jumped 2.5 percent after Morgan Stanley raised its target price based on improved medium-term prospects.
Investors are awaiting the Swedish central bank’s interest rate decision on Wednesday, followed by the Bank of England’s policy announcement on Thursday. The German central bank will also release its financial stability report.