In European Equity Markets indices closed in positive territory on Monday as investors reacted to comments from the head of the Federal Reserve on the U.S. central bank’s policy-tightening path. The pan-European provisionally Stoxx 600 index closed 0.5 percent higher, with all sectors in positive territory. In the U.K., markets were closed due to a bank holiday. Germany’s Metro Group was the top performer, after Ceconomy said it was in talks to sell most of its 10 percent stake in the German wholesale retailer. Shares of Metro Group closed 12 percent higher.

In Currency Markets the US dollar fell for a second straight session on Monday, still weighed down by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Friday that seemed to suggest a slower pace of monetary tightening. The euro rose 0.2 percent to $1.1647 after climbing as high as $1.1654, its strongest since Aug. 2. The currency advanced more than 0.7 percent on Friday. The Mexican peso rose 1 percent against the dollar, which traded at 18.703 pesos.In emerging markets, the Turkish lira weakened more than 2 percent against the dollar on Monday after a week-long holiday, hit by persisting concern about a diplomatic rift with Washington over a detained U.S. pastor.

In Commodities Markets brent oil prices rose to near $76 a barrel on Monday as a committee monitoring a deal on oil output curbs between OPEC and non-OPEC producers saw production rising while a U.S.-China trade dispute capped gains. International Brent crude oil futures were at $76.04 per barrel, up 22 cents from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 13 cents at $68.85 a barrel. Members of an OPEC and non-OPEC monitoring committee found producers in a supply-reduction agreement cut their July output by 9 percent more than called for in their pact, two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.

In US Equity Markets stocks posted strong gains on Monday, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hitting all-time highs, as news that the United States and Mexico were closing in on a trade deal added to optimism about the economy. The S&P 500 was up 0.63 percent, at 2,892.84 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.68 percent, at 8,000.25. Chipotle Mexican Grill fell 3 percent, the most on the S&P, after Wedbush downgraded its shares, citing higher risks to the burrito chain’s near-term same-store sales and margin estimates. Tesla Inc fell 1.9 percent after abandoning a plan to take the electric car-maker private.

In Bond Markets Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond yield rose to its highest level in more than two weeks on Monday, after a stronger-than-expected German business sentiment survey added to signs of an improving outlook for the euro zone economy. Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond yield rose three basis points to 0.38 percent, its highest level in more than two weeks. Euro zone bond yields were 2-3 bps higher, although trade was subdued due to a holiday in Britain. An Italian bond auction on Thursday could prove a key test of sentiment, given concerns about the policies of the new anti-establishment coalition.