European stocks have risen, supported by hopes for a reduction in the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate. Bayer shares have advanced significantly, while the defense sector has declined.

European markets started the week on an optimistic note, following the global trend, amid hopes for a possible reduction in the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate in December. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose by 0.3%, with most stock exchanges and sectors in positive territory. Bayer's shares saw a significant increase of 10.9% due to positive results in the study for the anticoagulant Asundexian. In contrast, Novo Nordisk's shares fell by 5.8% due to the failure of the substance semaglutide in an Alzheimer's study. The defense sector was negatively affected, with declines in the shares of Rheinmetall, Renk, Hensoldt, and Saab, amid peace talks between the US and Ukraine. In the US, discussions for security guarantees for Ukraine continue without a final agreement. In global markets, stock exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region and US futures advanced, with investors anticipating a possible interest rate cut of 0.25 percentage points in December, according to CME FedWatch estimates.