European Shares Hovering Near All-Time Highs

European stocks hovered near all-time highs on Monday, as investors counted on the ongoing economic recovery and positive corporate business results to keep market momentum going.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.02% to 444.50 points, not far from its highest level ever at 446.19 points.

Cineworld Group shares rose 3.1% after the animated adventure comedy film Peter Rabbit 2: The Runway attracted more viewers than expected, after a months-long lockdown linked to Covid-19.

Travel stocks came under pressure after the Institute for Public Health in Germany announced that Britain and Northern Ireland are among the regions experiencing a mutation of the virus, which requires that anyone entering the country from the United Kingdom be subject to a two-week quarantine upon arrival.

Markets are closed in Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland, and Germany for a holiday.