Stock indices closed higher as technology shares climbed.

Concerns over Greece's debt problems remained to weigh on markets. The Greek government is expected to submit its new reform programme.

Ratings agency Fitch lowered Greece's credit rating 'CCC' from 'B' on Friday. The cut was driven by Greek liquidity problems.

German preliminary consumer price index rose 0.5% in March, exceeding expectations for a 0.4% increase, after a 0.9% gain in February.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index increased to 0.3% in March from 0.1% in February, in line with expectations.

Consumer prices rose as energy prices rebounded in March.

Net lending to individuals in the U.K. increased by £2.5 billion in February, in line with expectations, after a £2.4 billion gain in January.

The number of mortgages approvals in the U.K. rose to 60,760 in February from 60,707 in January, missing expectations for an increase to 62,000. It was the highest level since August 2014.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,891.43 +36.41 +0.53 %

DAX 12,086.01 +217.68 +1.83 %

CAC 40 5,083.52 +49.46 +0.98 %

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released its pending home sales figures for the U.S. on Monday. Pending home sales in the U.S. rose 3.1% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% increase, after a 1.2% gain in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.7% rise.

The NAR's chief economist Lawrence Yun said that pending home sales were driven by strengthening labour market, mortgage rates and higher demand. But he added that "the underlying obstacle - especially for first-time buyers - continues to be the depressed level of homes available for sale".

The U.S. Commerce Department released personal spending and income figures on Monday. Personal spending was up 0.1% in February, missing expectations for 0.3% gain, after a 0.2% fall in January.

Consumer spending makes more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

The increase was driven by higher spending on services. Spending on services gained 0.2% in February. Higher heating bills may lead to the increase.

Spending on goods fell 0.1% in February.

Personal income climbed 0.4% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.4% rise in January. January's figure was revised up from a 0.3% gain.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index excluding food and energy rose 0.1% in February, in line with expectations, after a 0.1% rise in January.

On a yearly basis, the PCE price index excluding food and index rose 1.4% in February, after a 1.3% increase in January.

The PCE index are below the Fed's 2% inflation target. The PCE index is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation.

U.S. stock-index futures rose amid increased deal activity and optimism central banks will support global growth.

Global markets:

Nikkei 19,411.4 +125.77 +0.65%

Hang Seng 24,855.12 +368.92 +1.51%

Shanghai Composite 3,787.69 +96.60 +2.62%

FTSE 6,870.23 +15.21 +0.22%

CAC 5,078.24 +44.18 +0.88%

DAX 12,036.6 +168.27 +1.42%

Crude oil $48.48 (-0.78%)

Gold $1184.20 (-1.30%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

NIKE (NKE) upgraded from Neutral to Outperform at Robert W. Baird

Downgrades:

Other:

Microsoft (MSFT) reiterated at Outperform at RBC Capital Mkts, target lowered from $50 to $47

Statistics Canada released its industrial product and raw materials price indexes on Monday. The Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) rose 1.8% in February, beating forecasts for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.3% decrease in January. January's figure was revised up from a 0.4% decline.

It was the first increase since August 2014. The increase was driven by higher prices for energy and petroleum products.

Energy and petroleum products soared 8.8% in February, the first rise since June 2014 and the largest increase since June 2009.

The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) jumped 6.1% in February, exceeding expectations for a 5.1% rise, after a 7.8% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 7.7% decrease.

It was the first gain since June 2014.

The rise was driven by higher prices for crude energy products. Crude energy products jumped 16.0% in February, the largest rise since March 2009.

The Federal Reserve Chairwomen Janet Yellen said on Friday that the Fed is considering to raise its interest rate "later this year" even though this may slow the U.S. economy. The interest rate hike will be depend on the economic data, she noted.

Yellen pointed out the Fed will choose "gradualist approach" to raise its interest rate.

U.S. stocks rose moderately on Friday ending a four-day skid unimpressed by Fed Chair Janet Yellen's comments at a monetary policy conference in San Francisco. FED chair Janet Yellen reiterated that the bank is going to hike rates gradually later this year although developments in the economy might have an impact on the timing. The S&P 500 closed +0.24% with a final quote of 2,061.02 points. The DOW JONES index added +0.19%, closing at 17,712.66 points. Today Personal Income, Personal Spending, Pending Home Sales and a speech of FED Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer will be in the focus.

Chinese stocks skyrocketed after authorities allowed mainland funds into the exchange link to invest in Hong Kong and on speculations on further stimulus by the People's Bank of China. PBoC governor Zhou said on Sunday that the bank has still room to react - with interest rates and quantitative measures. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rallies ad is currently trading +1.83% at 24,935.36 points. China's Shanghai Composite rose to 3,781.02 points closing +2.44%.

The Nikkei booked gains on Monday in choppy trade and closed +0.65% with a final quote of 19,411.40 points with energy shares down on falling oil prices. Data on Industrial Production was lower-than-expected and shrank -3.4% in February, compared to a reading of +3.7% in January. Year on year Industrial Production came in at -2.6% compared to -2.8%.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 19,285.63 -185.49 -0.95 %

Hang Seng 24,486.2 -10.88 -0.04 %

S&P/ASX 200 5,919.94 +40.88 +0.70 %

Shanghai Composite 3,691.95 +9.86 +0.27 %

FTSE 100 6,855.02 -40.31 -0.58 %

CAC 40 5,034.06 +27.71 +0.55 %

Xetra DAX 11,868.33 +24.65 +0.21 %

S&P 500 2,061.02 +4.87 +0.24 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,891.22 +27.86 +0.57 %

Dow Jones 17,712.66 +34.43 +0.19 %