European Stock Indices Close Stable Trading

European stock indices on Monday closed trading stable as investors awaited the release of a series of economic data from the euro zone and a major statement on inflation in the United States this week. The European Stoxx 600 index saw no significant change, and remained close to the record high levels it had achieved earlier. Automotive stocks led the gains, recovering from a four-day losing streak, while defense stocks fell 1.2 percent. The Stoxx 600 index regained its momentum in the middle of this month after geopolitical tensions and uncertainties related to monetary policy led to its decline last April. Investors are awaiting the inflation readings of producer and consumer prices in the United States, scheduled to be released on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will determine the fate of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) this year. Source: Qatar News Agency