Europe seen higher; markets eye jobs data

European equities are expected to open higher on Monday as investors look ahead to forthcoming U.S. jobs data.

Although markets in Europe and the U.S. are preparing for a shorter week due to the Easter vacation, non-farm payrolls data from the U.S. will still be published Friday.

Dollar strategists believe if the jobs number is stronger than expected, it could put June back in play for the first rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which would drive the dollar higher. A weaker number could confirm the market's expectations for a slower return to higher rates.

With the exception of Australia, Asian stock markets turned positive in mid-morning trade on Monday, as a modestly positive lead from Wall Street offset the impact of sliding oil prices.

In other news, Greece and its international creditors continued talks through the weekend on reforms to unlock loans, but lenders said it could take several more days before a proper list of measures was ready, Reuters reported.

Greece sent a list of reforms Friday but a euro zone official said the list was more like a collection of ideas than something that could be presented to the Eurogroup of finance ministers.

In the U.K., campaigning for the forthcoming general election in May will begin on Monday as the Queen dissolves parliament at Prime Minister David Cameron's request.

The tradition of dissolving parliament marks the official end of the coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, although the election is expected to be closely-fought and another coalition is a distinct possibility.

In data releases Monday, euro zone consumer confidence, business confidence and economic and industrial sentiment figures are published.