Sentiment Improves After the Weekend's Events

European and Asian shares traded higher after Hurricane Irma weakened and North Korea refrained from launching missiles during the rogue nation's weekend observance of its 69th founding anniversary.

European insurance stocks led markets around the region higher Monday as investors reset cost assumptions for the industry as a result of a weakening Hurricane Irma.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Insurance index, the industry benchmark, was marked 2.1% higher by mid-day in Europe as major reinsurance groups such as France's Scor SE (SCRYY) and Germany's Hannover Re (HVRRY)  notched gains of around 5% on the back of lower-than-expected damage estimates in the state of Florida following Irma's weekend hit.

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