STOXX 600 up 0.2
Energy, bank stocks lead gains
German industrial production falls in March
Rational falls as Baader Helvea cuts rating

May 8 Reuters European shares edged higher on Monday, with energy and bank stocks spearheading gains, but were rangebound ahead of key U.S. inflation data due later in the week that would offer more cues on the Federal Reserve39;s monetary policy path.

The panEuropean STOXX 600 rose 0.2 to 466.29 points by 0805 am GMT.

The index was pressured last week when, unlike the Fed, the European Central Bank signalled more rate hikes were on the table. A slump in energy shares on weakness in crude prices also added to the declines.

Energy was the top sectoral gainer on Monday, up 0.8 as crude prices strengthened. Banks .SX7P and healthcare shares were in tow, gaining 0.6 and 0.5 respectively.

After a solid U.S. monthly jobs report last week, the focus turned to April39;s consumer prices reading due on Wednesday for clues on whether rate cuts in the world39;s largest economy were likely soon.

Additionally, the Fed39;s Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey due later on Monday will be parsed for clues on the state of lending, given the recent turmoil among regional banks in the U.S.

Wednesday39;s inflation data, which is expected to show core prices rose 0.4 month over month, is unlikely to support the case for rate cuts, said Mark Haefele Chief Investment Officer, UBS Global Wealth Management in a note.

In the other direction, the Senior…