Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.
Philips was among the region's biggest gainers, up 6.6 percent as sources close to the matter said some of the world's biggest private equity firms would submit final bids this week for the Dutch group's semiconductor unit in a bid battle that could reach 8 billion euros ($10 billion).
News that money management firm Amvescap was buying W.L. Ross & Co LLC and that France Telecom would sell 54 percent of directory unit PagesJaunes for 3.3 billion euros also helped investors brush aside worries about inflation and interest rates that have bedevilled markets in recent weeks. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index gained 1.86 percent to close at 1,314.30 points - up nearly 7 percent from a seven-month low, hit a month ago.