European Markets Finished Mostly Higher On Strong Data

(RTTNews) - The majority of the European markets ended the first session of the new trading week in the green. Investor sentiment received a boost from strong Eurozone private sector data, which expanded at the fastest pace thus far this year. Traders also cheered the decision made by Spain's Socialists on Sunday clearing the way to end nearly a year of political deadlock.

A Canadian rating agency also confirmed Portugal's investment-grade credit rating with a stable outlook in a decision that ensures the country will keep its position in the ECB's massive bond-buying program.

The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 0.03 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks increased 0.53 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.01 percent.

The DAX of Germany climbed 0.47 percent and the CAC 40 of France rose 0.36 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. declined 0.49 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by 0.53 percent.

In Frankfurt, Commerzbank advanced 3.18 percent and Deutsche Bank gained 2.06 percent.

Volkswagen increased 1.05 percent and BMW added 1.32 percent.

In Paris, Zodiac Aerospace climbed 1.28 percent after U.S. aircraft component maker Rockwell Collins announced a deal to buy aircraft interior maker B/E Aerospace for $62 a share in cash and stock.

Societe Generale climbed 2.93 percent and BNP Paribas rose 2.03 percent. Credit Agricole also finished higher by 3.34 percent.

In London, media and broadcast firms are climbed after U.S. telecoms giant AT&T announced it would buy media group Time Warner for $85.4bn. ITV finished higher by 0.53 percent.

Low-cost airline easyJet is jumped 1.42 percent after UBS upgraded its rating on the stock.

Royal Bank of Scotland dropped 1.05 percent after it was downgraded to "Sell" from "Hold" by Investec.

Petra Diamonds surged 5.65 percent after reporting a 30 percent increase in Q1 production.

Cobham Plc tumbled 13.01 percent. The military and civil systems provider said its overall trading in the third quarter has remained challenging and is behind management's expectations.

Syngenta and ChemChina didn't submit proposed remedies to resolve potential antitrust concerns related to their planned merger by October 21 deadline, the European Union said Monday, raising concerns that approval may be delayed. Syngenta sank 5.81 percent in Zurich.

Shares of Philips jumped 4.36 percent in Amsterdam. The electronics company has reported an 18 percent rise in third-quarter net income, helped by higher sales at its core health-care technology operations.

Eurozone private sector expanded at the fastest pace thus far this year, led by a strong rebound in Germany, while the pace of growth eased in France.

The Composite Output Index, which combines manufacturing and services, rose to 53.7 from 52.6 in September, preliminary results of the purchasing managers' survey by IHS Markit showed Monday. The outcome exceeded the 52.8 score economists had predicted.

In Germany, private sector growth recovered sharply to a three-month high in October, on the back of a strong rebound in the service sector and faster expansion in manufacturing.

The flash Germany Composite PMI rose to 55.1 from a 16-month low of 52.8 in September. The Services PMI also climbed to a three-month high of 54.1 from 50.9 in September. Economists had forecast a score of 51.8.

French private sector growth slowed in October as a rebound in manufacturing failed to offset the weaker expansion in services, preliminary results of the latest purchasing managers' survey by IHS Markit revealed Monday.

The flash France Composite Output Index, which combines manufacturing and services, fell to a two-month low of 52.2 from a 15-month peak of 52.7 in September.