European stock markets settled mixed on Monday as investors reacted to the continued ebb and flow of merger news and politics returned to the fore with French election polls narrowing in favor of Marine Le Pen.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 gained 3.58 points or 0.11 percent to settle at 3,312.39. Germany's benchmark index DAX rose 70.60 points or 0.6 percent to end at 11,827.62.

On the other hand, UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 0.10 points to close at 7,299.86. French benchmark index CAC 40 lost 2.59 points or 0.05 percent to end at 4,864.99.