BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets struggled in early trade Monday, but the majority ended the session with small gains. Investors remain concerned as the standoff between Spain and Catalonia continues. However, a dip in the value of the Euro provided a boost to shares of exporters. Mining stocks were under pressure as metal prices weakened.
Traders are also looking forward to the release of the European Central Bank's monetary policy decision on Thursday.
The German economy is set to continue to expand sharply in the third quarter driven by the industrial sector, Bundesbank said in its monthly report on Monday.
The industrial sector is likely to maintain its role as a crucial pillar of strong economy. The industrial activity is buoyant by export demand, the bank said.
However, the construction has probably made no further contribution to growth, the bank said.
The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 0.16 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks increased 0.08 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, added 0.19 percent.
The DAX of Germany climbed 0.09 percent and the CAC 40 of France rose 0.27 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained 0.02 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished higher by 0.12 percent.
In Paris, Air France-KLM advanced 1.77 percent. The airline announced that KLM has reached new pension scheme agreements with its pilot and cabin staff unions.
In London, building materials group CRH climbed 1.15 percent. The company said it would go ahead with its $3.5 billion acquisition of Ash Grove Cement Company.
Engineering group GKN jumped 5.01 percent after a report that it was considering splitting itself into two companies.
Spire Healthcare surged 15.15 percent after the healthcare firm said it has rejected a takeover by South African private hospitals operator Mediclinic International.
Car dealer Pendragon sank 18.10 percent after a profit warning.
Healthcare technology company Philips rallied 1.14 percent in Amsterdam after it reported a 12 percent rise in third-quarter core profit.
Security services group Securitas jumped 3.60 percent in Stockholm after its Q3 organic sales topped forecasts.
Eurozone consumer confidence strengthened for a third straight month in October to its highest level since 2001, preliminary data from the European Commission showed Monday.
The flash consumer confidence index rose to -1 from -1.2 in September, marking the highest score since April 2001, when it was -0.9. Economists had expected a modest improvement in the index to -1.1.
UK firms reported slower growth in factory orders in October, the Industrial Trends Survey from the Confederation of British Industry showed Monday. The order book balance fell to -2 percent in October, the lowest since November, from +7 percent in September.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX