Europe open: Shares up as central bank moves, US data in focus

(Sharecast News) - European shares opened higher on Monday as investors awaited the final raft of interest rate decisions of the year this week, including the European Central Bank. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.31% to 580 at 0814 GMT with all major bourses higher.

It's a bust week for investors in Europe with the European Central Bank's final policy meeting of the year on Thursday, when the bank is expected to keep rates at 2%.

ECB President Christine Lagarde told the Financial Times the central bank was likely to lift its growth forecasts again in December, after raising its prediction for annual GDP growth to 1.2% back in September.

Other central banks, including the Bank of England, Sweden's Riksbank and Norway's Norges Bank, will also unveil policy decisions this week.

"UK markets have a clear focal point this week, with the Bank of England in the spotlight and a rate cut on Thursday widely seen as a done deal. Markets are pricing in around a 90% chance of a move, so, absent any shocks, the decision itself matters less than the bank's tone," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Matt Britzman.

Investors will also be watching a backlog of delayed US data releases after the federal government shutdown, with a jobs report Tuesday and inflation out on Thursday.

On the economics front, Switzerland lifted its growth outlook for 2026, after securing a better trade deal with the US. The government's panel of economic experts now expects growth of 1.1% in 2026, up from the 0.9% rate it forecast in October, but still below the 1.4% growth rate forecast for 2025.

"Despite some easing of tensions, uncertainty remains high regarding international economic and trade policy and its macroeconomic impact," said the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Growth is expected to rise to 1.7% in 2027.

US President Donald Trump last month agreed to cut US tariffs on Switzerland to 15% from 39% as part of a new trade pact, lowering duties that strained economic ties and hit Swiss exporters.

In equity news, shares in ArgenX fell sharply after the Dutch biopharma firm said it was stopping a phase 3 trial for its thyroid eye disease treatment.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com