RBS boss Hester says bank on route to full health, bringing UK government stake sale closer to reality.
Investors waiting on US Federal Reserve chief Bernanke's testimony to Congress.
Ben Bernanke is expected to make a statement on the future of Fed's bond-buying programme on 22 May.
European markets follow the Asian peers and rise in early trades.
Investors cautious as US Federal Reserve hints at exit from the bond-buying programme.
Lloyds AGM hears of "significant progress" made by bank in 2012 as share price soared 85% across year.
Investors will be tracking a raft of data coming in from the US.
French economy falls back after economic activity shrinks for third time over four quarters.
As RBS holds its 2013 AGM, IBTimes UK takes a closer look at its chief executive
Markets climb as investors await string of macro economic data from eurozone.
IBTimes UK takes a closer look at Lloyds Banking Group chairman following his retirement announcement
China's industrial output and retail sales data fail to cheer European markets.
Bullish sentiment prevails across European markets as investors look for cues from policy measures and corporate earnings.
Markets await a string of key regional data apart from quarterly earnings reports.
Investors are awaiting earnings reports despite positive Asia performance.
Societe Generale profit halves, while Credit Agricole reports 51% profit decline.
The European Central Bank head Mario Draghi will address the media later in the day.
Analysts expect the US non-farm payrolls to increase by 140,000 workers after an 88,000 gain in March.
Analysts expect a 25 basis point cut in the benchmark interest rate at the ECB meeting.
Investors expect the ECB and the US Federal Reserve to continue their growth-supportive monetary policies.
London-based Redact offering £10k reward for intercepting message sent between iPhones.
Italy's new coalition government is set to announce its economic policies and growth agenda.