European markets higher on busy week for central bank action

This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets.

European stocks were higher Monday to kick off a week of key data releases and central bank decisions.

After a mixed open, the regional Stoxx 600 was up 0.3% at 12:15 p.m. London time, with mining stocks up 1.6% as food and beverages fell 0.4%. The index dropped 1.2% last week, its worst performance since January after a run of consistent gains.

U.S. stocks also had a shaky week, though a stronger-than-expected jobs report released Friday boosted sentiment around the economy and earnings. Futures were mixed overnight.

Investors are looking ahead to the U.S. consumer price index being released Wednesday, along with the minutes from the Federal Reserve's March meeting and several speeches from Fed officials.

Last week, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari raised the possibility of zero rate cuts this year if inflation remains sticky, though markets continue to see a roughly 50% chance of a cut in March, according to CME's FedWatch tool.

The European Central Bank meets Thursday for its latest monetary policy decision.

No movement in rates is expected, but June has been fully priced in by markets as the time for the first cut even as the timeline for the Fed is pushed back. Euro zone inflation fell more than expected in March to 2.4%.

Gold prices on Monday extended their record-breaking run, notching another all-time high amid robust U.S. economic data and elevated geopolitical tensions.

Spot gold prices rose 0.5% to trade at $2,342 per ounce at around 11:45 a.m. London time, after briefly hitting a fresh record of $2,353 earlier in the session. The yellow metal has repeatedly logged all-time highs in recent weeks.

However Bob Parker, senior advisor at trade body International