By Josie Cox
Global stocks started the week trading in a cautious manner,
with investors focusing on disappointing Chinese manufacturing data
and the reopening of Greece's equity market after a five-week
closure.
In early trade, the Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.2%. In Asia,
equities dropped amid jitters about weakening Chinese manufacturing
data and the continued declines in commodity prices.
A gauge of Chinese factory-floor activity slumped to a two-year
low on Monday, exacerbating concerns surrounding the country's
struggling stocks, sluggish property market and weak demand at home
and abroad.
In Greece, meanwhile, the country's main stock exchange was due
to reopen Monday after a more than monthlong closure. Still,
strategists say it could take months before investors' confidence
in Greek assets is restored.
The exchange halted trading on June 29, after Greek Prime
Minister Alexis Tsipras said the country would hold a referendum on
whether to accept terms that its international creditors were
offering in return for fresh financial aid.
The euro was largely flat in early European trade at $1.0989 to
the dollar. The dollar was marginally higher against Japan's yen at
$124.04.
In commodity markets, Brent crude was close to 1% lower at
$51.71 a barrel. Gold was broadly flat at $1,095.70 a troy
ounce.
Write to Josie Cox at josie.cox@wsj.com