The European markets are trading mixed on Monday, after markets in Asia closed mixed amid uncertainties about whether the Federal Reserve would scale down its bond purchase program. Volumes were thin amid the Spring Bank holiday for the UK market and the Memorial Day in the U.S.
On the economic front, the average asking price for a house in the United Kingdom jumped 0.4 percent on month in May, property tacking website Hometrack said on Monday, marking the biggest single month gain in six years. That follows the 0.3 percent increase in April.
Minutes from Bank of Japan's monetary policy board meeting on April 26 showed that members said it was appropriate to extend the monetary easing that has been put in place. The board intends to continue the easing until inflation reaches the desired target of 2 percent, the minutes showed.
Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said in a speech in Tokyo on Sunday that the current developments in asset markets do not reflect "excessively bullish expectations." If a rise in asset prices is a reflection of the policy effects or improved outlook for the real economy, it will only have positive effects on the real economy, he noted.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is gaining 0.62 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is falling 0.10 percent.
The German DAX is adding 0.4 percent and the French CAC 40 is rising 0.6 percent, while Switzerland's SMI is down 0.3 percent.
In Frankfurt, Commerzbank is gaining 3.5 percent and Deutsche Bank is up 0.9 percent.
Business software maker SAP is rising 1.8 percent. Carmaker Daimler is up 1.4 percent, while BMW and Volkswagen are moderately higher.
Praktiker is losing close to 8 percent after the home & garden retailer was cut to ''Sell'' from ''Reduce'' at Commerzbank.
In Paris, Vivendi is gaining 1.9 percent and Publicis Groupe is adding 1.8 percent.
Metal fabrication firm Vallourec and dairy giant Danone are adding 1.7 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
Lenders Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole are gaining between 1.4 percent and 1.2 percent.
Real estate developer Sacyr Vallehermoso is surging nearly 9 percent in Madrid as private equity firm Lone Star is reportedly interested in acquiring Vallehermoso.
In Asia/Pacific, markets ended mixed. China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.2 percent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.3 percent. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 3.3 percent and Australia's All Ordinaries dropped 0.5 percent.
The U.S. markets are closed on Monday for the Memorial Day. In the previous session, stocks ended mixed as investors continued to express worries about the Federal Reserve. The Dow gained 0.06 percent, the Nasdaq slipped 0.01 percent and the S&P 500 dipped 0.06 percent.
Among commodities, crude for July delivery is falling $0.74 to $93.41 per barrel while June gold is advancing $5.4 to $1392.0 a troy ounce.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com