Rexel jumps after rejecting 9.4 bln QXO bid
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STOXX 600 up 0.1

Sept 16 Reuters European shares were subdued at the start of a datapacked week, the highlight of which will be the Federal Reserve starting its longawaited monetaryeasing cycle, with many investors leaning towards a biggerthanexpected rate reduction.

The panEuropean STOXX 600 index was up 0.1, with most major European markets trading higher, except for a 0.2 drop in Germany.

All eyes will be on the U.S. central bank39;s rate decision on Wednesday, with money markets pencilling in a 60 chance of a 50basispoint rate cut, and a total easing of 120 bps in 2024.

Whether or not the Fed cuts rates by 25 bps or 50 bps the market reaction will depend on two things how they communicate the cut and their reasons if they cut by 50bps and also the Dot Plot and what it tells us about Fed members39; current expectations for the terminal rate, said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB.

Among sectors, healthcare and utilities were the top gainers, rising 0.5 and 0.1, respectively, while miners led the losses, falling 0.7 after rising around 4 last week as commodity prices gained.

For the day, the euro zone39;s total trade balance in July, due at 0900 GMT, will help investors assess the health of the region39;s economy.

Comments from European Central Bank39;s vice president, Luis de Guindos, and chief economist, Philip Lane, later in the day will also be…