AstraZeneca was the biggest performer after it received a fast-track designation from U.S. food and drug administration (FDA) for its gastritis drug. But banking shares dropped 0.6%.

Playtech gained 2.4% after Gopher Investments, its second biggest shareholder, submitted a takeover offer on Sunday.

Investors are watching Tesla stock, after Elon Musk asked its Twitter followers if he should sell 10% of his share holdings, and most voted in favour. Everybody is waiting to see if he will truthful to his word.

They are also awaiting the release of U.S. producer price figures and consumer price figures, due at the beginning of the week, to monitor inflation.

Another hot topic this week, the British government appears to be on the verge of triggering Article 16, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said, warning that the EU could put its free trade agreement with the UK on hold in response.

 

Things to read:

The Gordian knot of Europe’s gas dependence (Financial Times)

SoftBank Reports $3.5 Billion Loss, Hit by China’s Tech Crackdown (WSJ)

EU could shelve Brexit trade deal if UK triggers article 16, Irish minister warns (The Guardian)