Major European stock markets ended Monday's session with strong gains as investors digested upbeat coronavirus vaccine news. Over the weekend, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 jab, making it the third vaccine in circulation in the US.

The FTSE 100 climbed 1.62%. The best performer was IAG Group, whose stock soared 6.95%.

The DAX jumped 1.64% with MTU Aero Engines soaring 6.04%.

The CAC 40 closed 1.57% in the green as Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield rallied 5.26%.

The euro lost 0.12% against the dollar to sell for 1.20506 at 5:37 pm CET, while the pound added 0.12% compared to the greenback to go for 1.39439 at the same time.