European Shares Inch Higher As Defense Stocks Surge On Rising Geopolitical Tensions

European stocks traded higher on Monday amid optimism around economic growth and prospects of higher military spending in the region.The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up half a percent at 599.22 after rising 0.7 percent on Friday. The German DAX climbed 0.9 percent, France's CAC 40 added 0.7 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent. Defense stocks surged as investors assessed risks linked to U.S. strikes on Venezuelan military and port facilities over the New Year's weekend.Rheinmetall AG shares soa ...