European Stocks Close Higher Near All-Time High

European stocks finished higher on Monday, starting the last week of May with a positive performance, amid an improved risk sentiment on the back of positive earnings reports by major listed companies.

The STOXX Europe 600 index finished higher by about 0.72% at 445.07 points, very close to its record high closing level, which was registered in March.

Market gains were supported by the rise of technology stocks by about 1%.

It was a relatively quiet trading day in Europe, as markets in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Norway were closed, due to the Whit Monday public holiday.

France’s CAC40 rose by 0.35%, while the UK’s FTSE100 gained 0.48%.