GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks gain on improved sentiment

At the ECB meeting on Thursday, President Christine Lagarde is considered certain to confirm an end to bond-buying this month and a first rate increase in July, though the jury is out on whether that will be 25 or 50 bps, as some investment banks ramped up their expectations.

NEW YORK: Global equity markets rose on Monday on signs of an easing of COVID-19 pandemic-related and other restrictions by China and as investors took expected interest rate hikes in coming days in their stride despite crude oil hitting US$120 a barrel.

The dollar gained against the euro ahead of a European Central Bank policy meeting on Thursday but risk appetite ebbed after being higher earlier on the day.