Stocks started the week and the quarter on a positive note, with investors focused on the slate of manufacturing sector surveys that were set for release around the world.

As of 0834 BST the benchmark Stoxx 600 was up by 0.68% or 2.57 points at 381.94, alongside a gain of 0.63% or 77.55 points for Germany’s Dax which took it to 12,403.40 and 0.91% rise in the Cac-40 to 5,167.32.

A stronger tone in oil markets was also providing a favourable tailwind for stocks as front month Brent crude oil futures advanced 0.53% to $49.03 a barrel on the ICE.

“European equity markets are expected to open a little higher on Monday as traders await a selection of manufacturing PMI reports from across Europe as well as some unemployment data,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda.

Erlam also reminded clients that trading volumes were likely to be subdued on account of the 4 July holiday the next day in the States and the shortened session in New York on Monday ahead of that.

Investors were also keeping tabs on the presentation by Germany’s ruling CDU party of its election manifesto, at noon. Media reports inidcated it would include tax cuts worth€15.0bn and increased public investment of €12.0bn.

French president Emanuelle Macron was also expected to hold a joint session of parliament, a fairly rare event, to set the tone for his five-year tenure.