U.S. markets are closed on Monday. European stock markets shook off recent negativity to start the week on a positive note, buoyed by overnight trade in Asia-Pacific. The Stoxx 600 index hit its highest level since August 9 in morning trade and was up by 0.6% at midday London time. Technology stocks led sector gains, up 1.3%, as sentiment around equities brightened following Friday’s U.S. jobs report. Investors saw signs of a slowdown which could rein in Federal Reserve hawkishness. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led gains in the region on Monday, powered by a surge in property stocks as other Asia-Pacific markets were mixed to start the week. The HSI jumped 2.46% in its final hour of trade, while mainland markets were also in positive territory, with the benchmark CSI 300 up 1.52% and closing at 3,848.95. Investors will look to key data from Australia and China later in the week, such as the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate decision on Tuesday, while China is expected to release its trade balance for August on Thursday and its inflation rate next weekend. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also climbed 0.7% to close at 32,939.18, marking a six day winning streak and its highest level in over a month. The Topix finished 1.02% higher at 2,373.73, also marking six straight days of gains. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rebounded to 0.56% and ended at 7,318.8, while South Korea’s Kospi traded 0.81% up to end at 2,584.55 — its highest level in over two weeks. However, the Kosdaq was down marginally, closing at 919.16. Oil prices ticked up in Asian morning trade on Monday, as market sentiment was buoyed by positive China and U.S. economic data, as well as expectations of ongoing crude supply cuts from major producers. Brent crude was up 17 cents, or 0.2%, at $88.72 a barrel at 0015 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 25 cents, roughly 0.3%, to $85.80. Gold prices climbed on Monday towards a one-month peak scaled in the previous session, supported by a slight pullback in the dollar and prospects that the U.S. Federal Reserve would take a pause from interest rate hikes this year. Spot gold gained 0.3% to $1,945.40 per ounce by 0334 GMT, after climbing to as high as $1,952.79 on Friday. U.S. gold futures added 0.2% to $1,971.70.