(Bloomberg) -- European shares gained on optimism that China and the U.S. may resolve their trade conflict, capping a year that's set to post the biggest decline in a decade.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 0.2 percent in early trading on Monday, trimming its annual drop to 13 percent. With hopes over trade rising again, much battered cyclical sectors led gains, with resources stocks posting the steepest advance.
A dreadful year is ending on a slightly more hopeful note after U.S. President Donald Trump reported “big progress” in trade talks with his Chinese counterpart. Italy's budget conflict with the European Union is also drawing to a close with the nation passing its budget on Sunday after reaching a truce with Brussels.
Read more: European Stocks' Year to Forget Leaves Some Memorable Milestones
Keeping optimism in check, cracks in Italy's governing coalition may usher an early election in 2019. Data released Monday also showed China's manufacturing gauge dropped into contraction territory in December, adding fuel to fears of an economic slowdown.
Trading in Europe will end earlier on Monday. Markets in Germany, the Nordics and Switzerland are closed.
To contact the reporter on this story: Justina Lee in London at jlee1489@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Blaise Robinson at brobinson58@bloomberg.net, Paul Jarvis
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