European stocks opened mixed Monday morning as traders wait to discover whether the U.K.'s departure from the European Union will be delayed once again.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged fractionally above the flatline at 392.15 on the opening bell, banks jumping out to 0.7% gains while oil and gas stocks shed 0.3%.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was begrudgingly forced to request an extension to the current Oct. 31 Brexit deadline on Saturday after a cross-party group of lawmakers passed an amendment forcing a delay to a "meaningful" vote on his newly negotiated divorce deal.
It remains to be seen whether the EU will accept the request contained in Johnson's unsigned letter, which would push the Brexit deadline to January 31 and open the door for a new U.K. general election. Some European leaders have voiced reluctance to give Britain more time, though an orderly exit is widely accepted as being least damaging scenario for both the U.K. and the EU.
Source : CNBC