Sharecast - The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.48% at 0821 GMT. After last weeks data deluge and several rate hike decisions, traders are expecting a quieter few days before the festive break.
Energy stocks were higher on the back of rising oil prices driven by hopes of a recovery in demand from China after the country relaxed several strict Covid-19 control measures. BP (LON:BP) and Shell (LON:RDSa) were both gainers.
Meanwhile Twitter chief executive Musk launched a poll on Sunday asking users whether he should step down as head of the company, adding that he would abide by the result.
Just over 57% of 17.5 million voters had said that Musk should resign when the poll closed.
In other equity news, Freenet rose after Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) raised its rating on the German-based telecom provider's stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’.
Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com