European stocks end the first session of second half higher

European stocks ended the first day of the new trading week higher, as regional investors received the results of the first round of early parliamentary elections in France.

Bank stocks led French stocks higher and demand from blue-chip investors to hold the country’s bonds fell on Monday.

The European STOXX 600 index closed up 0.44%, rebounding from four consecutive losses. This was driven by a sharp rise in the French CAC 40 index, which initially jumped more than 2.5% before cooling to a gain of 1.09%.