European shares looked set for a mixed opening on Monday as freezing weather in the United States and renewed threats by Muslim militants to attack oil facilities in the major exporting Middle East region kept oil prices above $46 a barrel.
An Internet statement at the weekend, purportedly from the Saudi wing of al Qaeda, urged militants to attack oil facilities in the world's biggest exporter.
Volumes could be thin and trade erratic in the a trading week shortened by the Christmas holiday.
Investors will focus on a possible counter-bid by Euronext to Deutsche Boerse's offer for the London Stock Exchange, which some reports said could take place before the end of the week.