Europe's main stock markets opened cautiously higher on Monday, buoyed by the energy sector and a series of corporate results, as well as the prospect of monetary easing from some of the world's largest central banks.

In Paris, the CAC 40 lost 0.19% to 7,503.13 points at around 07:49 GMT. In Frankfurt, the Dax advanced by 0.27% and in London, the FTSE 100 gained 0.63%.

The FTSEurofirst 300 was up by 0.18% and the Stoxx 600 by 0.20%, but the EuroStoxx 50 index lost

index lost 0.03%.

Markets opened on a positive note on Monday at the start of what promises to be a busy week of monetary policy announcements by central banks, particularly in the US on Wednesday, with investors betting that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut rates for the first time in September.

The US PCE inflation figures published on Friday did not call this assumption into question.

The week also promises to be a busy one for half-yearly corporate results, including four of the "Magnificent 7", the American technology giants, after skepticism spread to the sector, whose shares have been rallying since early 2024.

In the Eurozone, investors await economic growth and inflation figures this week, while the European Central Bank (ECB), which already cut interest rates for the first time in June, opted for the status quo in July.

In Great Britain, investors are less certain that the Bank of England (BoE) will ease rates at its meeting on Thursday: they estimate a 51% probability that interest rates will be maintained at 5.25%, with inflation remaining high and wage growth robust.

Among stocks, the European energy sector benefited (+1.24%) from higher oil prices following a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government blamed on the Lebanese Hezbollah.

In Paris, TotalEnergies advanced by 1.2% and in London, Shell

rose by 1.4%.

Philips gained over 10%, the Dutch medical device manufacturer having announced better-than-expected quarterly results, thanks in particular to the implementation of its restructuring program.

Heineken, on the other hand, fell by over 6% after the Dutch brewer missed expectations for half-year profit growth.

In Paris, Emeis (ex-Orpea), which on Friday announced a downward revision of its earnings growth guidance for 2024, lost 9.5%. (Written by Diana Mandiá, edited by Augustin Turpin)