Frankfurt  - European shares began the new trading week Monday on a positive note.

Europe's blue-chip Stoxx 50 had gained 2.3 per cent to 2,316 by late morning trading Monday as an element of calm returned to share trading after a tumultuous performance last week amid growing recession fears.

The signs of stability were repeated across Europe's leading stock markets with London rising by 1.75 per cent, Paris CAC 40 index gaining 1.45 per cent and Frankfurt's DAX edging up by
0.93 per cent. Shares in Madrid were also up 1.67 per cent. (dpa)