LONDON (AFP) - European stock markets climbed in early dealing even as many investors sat tight on the eve of the US presidential election.
The London FTSE 100 index rose 0.75 percent to 4,659.00 points, the Frankfurt DAX won 0.53 percent to 3,981.11 points and the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.44 percent to 3,723.27 points.
The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares advanced 0.48 percent to 2,825.11.
The euro stood at 1.2751 dollars.
"The US elections will obviously be the main issue for the markets for this week," Nomura investment strategist Anais Faraj said.
US stocks ended mixed Friday as investors held onto gains ahead of Tuesday's presidential vote.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.23 percent higher at 10,027.47 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite edged down 0.04 percent to 1,974.99.
The main broad-market indicator, the Standard and Poor's 500 index, climbed 0.24 percent to 1,130.20 points.
US President George W. Bush and Democrat challenger John Kerry entered the final hours before polling day neck and neck in the polls.
In Asia, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei-225 index closed 0.34 percent lower at 10,734.7 points Monday on concerns about the impact of a strong yen on exporters and on investor caution as people geared up to vote in the United States.
"Investors remained on the sidelines as they are waiting for tomorrow's US presidential election to see the outcome and its impact on the stock market," said Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management.
"Few investors wanted to make any aggressive bets today. Especially if (Senator John) Kerry wins, the market wants to see what his policies will be."
Hong Kong's key Hang Seng Index closed 0.3 percent higher to 13,094.25 points.
In Europe, oil stocks gained as crude prices rallied after unions called a fresh strike in major producer Nigeria with the intention of disrupting oil exports.
In London Shell rose 1.05 percent to 433.25 pence and BP won 1.52 percent to 535.5 pence, while in Paris Total gained 1.17 percent to 164.9 euros.
The mining sector benefited from an under-pressure dollar, dealers said.
Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton jumped 2.44 percent to 567 pence and Anglo-Swiss group Xstrata earned 1.78 percent to 860 pence.
11/01/2004 - 12:26 GMT - AFP