European stocks rose Monday, April 17, as investors expected major US banks to continue reporting strong quarterly earnings this week, while also looking for the Federal Reserve to end its interest rate hike cycle.

The European STOXX 600 index rose 0.3% after last week hitting its highest level in more than a year, and the STOXX 50 leading stock index reached its peak in 22 years.

The mining sector was the top gainer, up 1.6%, while technology stocks fell 0.6%.

Investors will be closely watching the release of a batch of earnings reports, led by those from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America later in the day.

Earnings from Citigroup, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo beat expectations last week, benefiting from higher interest rates and easing concerns about stress on the banking system.

Investors are also awaiting the statements of European Central Bank officials, led by its president, Christine Lagarde.

Finnish Rovio shares rose 17.8% after Japan's Sega agreed to submit a 706 million euro offer to buy the video game company.