European stocks opened modestly higher on Monday as investors held back from making big bets before the release of important U.S. inflation data later this week. Trading was subdued, with market participants looking for fresh clues on the direction of interest rates and the broader outlook for global growth.

The cautious tone reflected a wider wait-and-see approach across markets. Inflation figures from the United States are likely to shape expectations for the Federal Reserve's next moves, which in turn could influence borrowing costs, currency swings, and risk appetite in Europe.

Despite the uncertainty, the early gain suggested investors were still willing to keep some exposure to equities while remaining alert to any surprise in the data. Analysts have said a hotter-than-expected reading could pressure stocks, while a softer print may support sentiment.

For now, traders appear focused on the inflation release as the week's main event, with European shares tracking global macroeconomic signals rather than any single regional catalyst.