Europe open: Stocks in the black after Easter break

European stocks rose on Tuesday as traders got back to their desks following the long Easter weekend.

At 0850 BST, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index and Germany’s DAX were up 1%, while France’s CAC 40 was 1.2% firmer.

At the same time, oil prices were in the red. West Texas Intermediate was down 1% to $39.00 a barrel and Brent crude was off 1% at $39.86.

“European markets are opening the shortened trading week on a positive note this morning as traders starting to pour money back into stocks,” said Markus Huber, senior analyst at Peregrine & Black.

“Much of last Thursday's hefty losses were less the result of actual negative news but rather traders being cautious ahead of the long weekend especially in light of the recent terror attacks. Consequently with very few new major developments over the weekend some of the previously closed positions are being reopened this morning.”

Still, Huber said trading volume was likely to be on the light side as some market participants will have taken a few more days off.

RSA Insurance was on the front foot on the back of a positive research note from Deutsche Bank, which upped its target price on the stock.

Pharmaceuticals giants GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca were both higher after drug approvals in Japan.

Low-cost carrier EasyJet flew higher after Bank of America Merrill Lynch upgraded the stock to ‘buy’.

On the downside, shares in AG Barr edged lower after the London-listed drinks maker posted a rise in full year profit but a dip in revenue

With little of interest due on the data front, investors will watch out for a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen later in the day for further clues about the central bank’s next policy move, particularly after the hawkish comments last week from Fed officials.