Investors remain cautious ahead of the US vote, with European stock markets facing a different set of challenges from their US counterparts. (EPA Images pic)NEW YORK: European stocks struggled for direction on Monday after Friday’s tech rout, with investors looking ahead to Apple’s earnings and taking comfort from a sharp fall in oil prices amid hopes for a deal to end the Iran war.

Markets face a pivotal week, with investors still digesting the Federal Reserve's and the European Central Bank’s latest policy decisions, earnings season in full swing and the US midterm elections on Tuesday.

Euro zone government bond yields were little changed after last week's rally, but investor sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over France's fiscal outlook and continuing street unrest.