In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 was closed up 0.64 percent, with the majority of sectors ending in positive territory. On the bourses front, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.57 percent, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.71 percent and Germany’s DAX jumped 1.05 percent. Peripheral markets also finished in the black. Luxury fashion firm Mulberry fell after it issued a profit warning over the decline of iconic U.K. retailer House of Fraser. The stock was down 23.55 percent on London’s AIM exchange.

In Currency Markets the euro fell on Monday as the dollar gained before trade talks between the United States and China, due this week, which investors hope will ease tensions between the world’s two biggest economies. The euro fell as much as 0.4 percent to $1.1394, below the $1.14 level which ruffled markets last week, but was still above 13-month lows of $1.3010, also hit last week. The Turkish lira snapped a three-day rebound on Friday, sliding more than 5 percent against the dollar on fears the United States would impose further economic sanctions.

In Commodities Markets brent oil stabilized near $72 per barrel on Monday after several weeks of decline, weighed down by concerns over slowing global economic growth but supported by an expected fall in supply from Iran due to U.S. sanctions. Brent crude futures, a benchmark for international oil prices, were at $72.08 per barrel, up 25 cents. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 6 cents at $65.96 per barrel. Last week, Brent declined for a third consecutive week, while WTI fell for a seventh week.

In US Equity Markets stock index opened higher on Monday as reports of planned trade talks between the United States and China raised hopes of a potential resolution to their trade spat. The S&P 500 was up 0.16 percent, at 2,854.76 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.07 percent, at 7,810.56. Nike rose 1.8 percent and was the top gainer on the Dow, after two brokerages raised their ratings on the stock. News Corp shares fell 4.2 percent, the most among the S&P 500 components, after Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of the Wall Street Journal owner.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields fell to four-week lows on Monday ahead of a week centered on U.S. central bank policy, with no major economic releases or new supply to drive market direction. The Federal Reserve will release minutes from its August policy meeting on Wednesday, which will be evaluated for any new indications of whether four interest rate hikes are likely this year. The yield curve between 2-year and 10-year notes flattened to 23 basis points, the flattest level since 2007.