Asian stocks declined while Europe opened higher Monday as optimism about lower U.S. inflation competed with unease over a rise in Chinese virus cases.
London and Frankfurt gained. Shanghai and Tokyo retreated while Hong Kong rose. Oil prices were little-changed.
Investors were encouraging by lower U.S. inflation reported last week, hoping that will prompt the Federal Reserve to ease off plans for more interest rate hikes. But forecasters warned it was too early to assume inflation that is near multi-decade highs is under control.
