European stocks gain

The pan-European Stoxx 600 gained 0.6% in early trade, oil and gas stocks bouncing 2.3% to lead gains as almost all sectors and major bourses entered positive territory.

European markets are tracking their counterparts in Asia and the U.S. higher Monday.

Hopes are raised that several coronavirus vaccines, found to be highly effective in late-stage clinical trials, could start to be rolled out in the U.S. in December. Pfizer and BioNTech on Friday applied for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their coronavirus vaccine.

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Monday said an interim analysis of clinical trials showed its coronavirus vaccine has an average efficacy of 70% in protecting against the virus.

Stocks in Asia-Pacific rose in Monday trade as investors continue to watch for coronavirus developments. South Korea is set to impose stricter distancing regulations for the greater Seoul area and southwestern region in an attempt to stem a resurgence of the coronavirus.