Stock Market LIVE Updates: European stocks kick off week on cautious note amid geopolitical tensions



European shares inched up on Monday, with defence stocks among top gainers, as investors assessed the wider implications of escalating tensions in the Middle East, while optimism around imminent interest rate cuts also aided sentiment.

The pan-European STOXX 600 gained 0.1%, led by the defence sector that was up 0.6% by 0713 GMT, after Iran launched explosive drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria on April 1.