• European stocks rose on Monday, with gains in telecoms and banks offsetting a big fall in Unilever, while uncertainty over political developments and the timing of a U.S. interest rate hike kept the dollar in check.
• U.S. markets were closed for the Presidents Day holiday, and this restricted activity in Europe and Asia.
• Asian stocks held near 1-1/2-year highs in subdued early trade on Tuesday as a holiday in the United States left investors with few catalysts, while the euro nursed overnight losses as lingering concerns about the looming French election rattled its bonds.
• Political concerns have been at the front and center of investors' minds over the past week or so, with markets wary about the outcome of the French elections in the wake of Brexit.
• MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS was flat in opening trades on Tuesday and held below a 19-month peak hit last Thursday. The index is up more than 11 percent since Dec.23.
Reference: Reuters
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