European Stock Indices Close Slightly Higher

European stock indices on Monday closed their trading slightly higher, supported by profits from shares of defense industries companies, but gains remained limited as investors awaited economic data in light of uncertainty about expectations of lowering interest rates. The Stoxx 600 index rose by 0.1 percent to close below the record high levels recorded last week, as gains were led by shares of the aviation and defense sector, which rose 1.9 percent. Volkswagen shares fell 1.7 percent after Morgan Stanley downgraded the automaker, while Airbus shares rose 1.2 percent. Equity gains were also limited by a rise in eurozone sovereign bond yields for a second day, with markets awaiting new data on corporate activity in the eurozone this week, which could provide clues to the European Central Bank's monetary path. Source: Qatar News Agency