European stocks rise in fourth consecutive session, as focus on earnings season

European shares rose on Monday morning in the first session of the week, continuing gains for the fourth session in a row, supported by investors' improved risk appetite as fears of a global economic slowdown eased, while markets focus on this season of corporate and banks earnings announcements, which began bullishly in the United States.

By 10:40 GMT, Stoxx Europe 600 rose by more than 0.1%, as the index ended Friday's session up by 0.2%, in the third daily gain in a row.

Stoxx Europe Index rose on Monday's first session of the week, continuing its gains for the fourth session in a row, with most of the major bourses and sectors in the positive region.

Meanwhile, investors' risk appetite has improved, as fears of a global economic slowdown have eased, especially after strong trade data in China in March, in addition to the beginning of corporate and global banks earnings announcements season, which seems to be strong in the United States.

The banking sector in Europe rose by nearly 1% after JP. Morgan, the largest US bank by assets, announced better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter of this year. Whilst Goldman Sachs and Citibank are due to announce their results later in the day.

Publicis advertising group's index rose by 2% after news of its $1.4 billion acquisition of Epsilon the Data Management and Marketing company.

S&P 500 futures rose by 0.1%, to its highest level in five months ahead of the opening of the official trading session on Wall Street, as it ended on Friday, up by 0.7%.

Euro Stoxx 50 index gained 0.2%. while In France CAC 40 gained 0.2%, with Germany's DAX rising by 0.2%, and London's FTSE 100 gaining 0.1%.