The euro appreciated overnight as the far-right National Rally party appeared unlikely to secure a majority, despite significant gains in the first round of parliamentary elections.
Polling agencies suggest the National Rally might secure a majority in the lower house, though the outcome remains uncertain due to the complex voting system.
The euro increased to nearly 85p from 84.7p.
In Asia, stocks mostly rose on Monday after Japan and China reported data indicating relatively sluggish growth in their economies.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.3% to 39,693.29 following a Bank of Japan quarterly survey, known as the “tankan,” which revealed a modest improvement in confidence among the largest manufacturers in the April-June quarter.
However, the government revised its first-quarter growth estimate downward to a minus 2.9% annual rate from the previously reported minus 1.8%.
The Shanghai Composite climbed 0.3% to 2,976.64 after a weekend survey of factory purchasing managers showed conditions remained in contraction for the second consecutive month.
Hong Kong markets were closed for a holiday.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.3% to 7,744.20. South Korea’s Kospi inched up 0.2% to 2,802.87 after a private-sector survey indicated the best factory activity since April 2022.
