European shares tick higher as easing Fed hike bets lift gold

European stocks edged higher on Monday, helped by gains in basic resources shares as gold rose on a weaker dollar and softer U.S. economic data. Markets also took comfort from easing expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike, lifting sentiment. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.2% to 659.30 points by 0708 GMT, while the basic resources index was up 1.4%. Antofagasta, Hochschild Mining and Glencore gained between 2.2% and 2.7%. Technology stocks also added 1.1%. Investors turned back toward macro and geopolitics for the next catalyst after Europe’s earnings season largely finished.