European stocks ended a choppy session slightly lower, weighed by German stocks, as the euro rallied after comments about the shared currency by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

U.S. stocks closed higher Monday for a third session of gains, recovering most of last week's sharp loss as tech and industrial stocks rallied in a day marked by lighter than usual volume.

Asian stocks rose as last week's global worries about the U.S. political landscape continued to ease, with Australian stocks stabilizing after their worst performance in months. Worries stemming from U.S. political uncertainty faded with President Donald Trump traveling in the Middle East and later this week to Europe. Investors also largely shrugged off further missile tests by North Korea over the weekend.