European equities touched fresh multi-month peaks on Monday, with technical charts pointing to a continued slow grind higher backed by tentative signs of improvement in the global economy and corporate earnings.
The Euro STOXX 50 provisionally closed 0.1 percent higher at 2,746.22 points, setting fresh 18-month peaks in the wake of stronger-than-expected U.S. durable goods orders showing firms in the world's biggest economy had stepped up spending. Durable goods orders jumped 4.6 percent in December, higher than the expected 1.8 percent rise.
The daily moves on the euro zone blue-chip index have averaged less than 10 points since Jan. 3, less than half of the usual size for 2012.
"It's not the top [of the market] but it's not going to accelerate, it's a slow market and you just have to be patient," said Valerie Gastaldy, analyst at Day By Day.
"As long as we are above [technical support at[ 2,723 we can aim for 2,790. We are not that overbought because we've been very, very slow."
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 Index was down 0.1 percent at 1,173.77 points after touching a two-year intra-day peak of 1,176.19 plans.
The travel and leisure sector was one drag on the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 Index, led lower by budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet, which retreated after a recent surge.
Ryanair shed 1.5 percent after it reported strong growth in European fares in the fourth quarter but warned of marginal passenger growth in 2013, capped by a slow-down in plane deliveries.
EasyJet fell 1.8 percent on news of the departure of chairman Mike Rake, who has endured a strained relationship with majority shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Banks rallied further after Friday's announcement that lenders made hefty early repayments of emergency funding from the European Central Bank, a sign at least parts of the financial system are returning to health.
