European equities closed higher Monday, although the U.K. stock exchange was closed for a public holiday.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up around 0.6 percent, with Germany's DAX outperforming, provisionally ending 1.6 percent higher. The French CAC 40 index ended unofficially 0.8 percent higher.
Companies of note on the German index included Adidas. Its shares ended around 3.5 percent higher after a report that the sports brand could sell Reebok was denied by its chief executive in an interview with a German newspaper over the weekend.
Elsewhere, Syngenta shares closed more than 8 percent higher on reports that the world's largest seed company, Monsanto, could be interested in buying the Swiss agribusiness. Syngenta refused to comment on the rumors on Monday.
There are no major earnings from Europe on Monday.
The final euro zone manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for April came in at 52.0, above a flash reading of 51.9 but slightly below March's figure of 52.2.
UK election in focus
U.K. markets were closed due to a public holiday on Monday, with Thursday's general election in focus. A hung parliament is looking likely as opinion polls show Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party are neck-and-neck.
Elsewhere in Europe, Greece is still in focus following further negotiations between the country and its lenders that concluded Sunday.
Negotiations made headway and an agreement could be reached this month or in June, Dow Jones reported on Monday, citing a government spokesman. The next big get-together for Greece and its lenders is the Eurogroup meeting of finance ministers on May 11.
China data disappoints
In Asia, stocks pared losses and edged up on Monday, as less-than-stellar data from China fueled bets that Beijing would unveil further support measures to prop up its stumbling economy.
The HSBC final purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed China's vast factory sector continued to contract in April.
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