U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. European markets turned flat Monday afternoon, changing course after largely positive sentiment last week. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was 0.01% higher in afternoon deals, rebounding slightly from a negative morning session. Mining stocks led losses, sinking 1.1%, while health care stocks were up 0.7%. Stock markets in China rose as traders returned from a long holiday on Monday to upbeat travel data, while Hong Kong stocks fell. The CSI 300 added 0.5% as trading resumed following the Lunar New Year holidays that saw consumer spending jump higher than pre-Covid levels, according to official data. Tourism stocks led the gains, rising 1.2%.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1%, while the Hang Seng Tech index shed 2.7%. Japan’s Nikkei 225, which had come within a striking distance of a record high on Friday, inched 0.07% lower, while the broader Topix added 0.5%. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.3%, while the smaller-cap Kosdaq was flat. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.1% higher at 7,665.10. Oil prices edged down on Monday morning as markets digested comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials pointing to a more patient stance regarding potential interest rate cuts, in thin early trade on what is a public holiday in the United States. Brent crude futures were down 58 cents, or 0.69%, at $82.89 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was 35 cents, or 0.44%, lower at $78.84 at 0138 GMT. Gold prices rose to a nearly one-week high on Monday as a slight pullback in the U.S. dollar and escalating tensions in the Middle East lifted bullion’s safe-haven appeal. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,019.99 per ounce, as of 0530 GMT, hitting its highest since Feb. 13. U.S. gold futures rose 0.4% to $2,031.50 per ounce.