Economic news is thin on the ground, with only a Bank of England interest rate decision, euro zone retail sales and US trade figures standing out.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index suffered last month on fears of rising interest rates and mixed early third-quarter figures, but it has gained around 4 percent this week as earnings and US data came in above expectations.
Insurers and reinsurers releasing earnings include Munich Re, Allianz, Royal SunAlliance, ING and Hannover Re, with the impact of the US hurricane season and the changing yield curve in focus.
"It will be very interesting to see the life insurers when they report this week. The life insurers are one of the groups that stand to gain from the changes in the yield curve," said Lex Werkeim, asset manager at Eureffect in Amsterdam.
"We don't expect them to change their guidance just yet, but they are expected to raise their forecasts when yields pick up."
Good profits are generally expected on the life side as investment returns show continued improvements with investors looking at how demand for new products is rising and for indications on future sales and margins.
SWISSCOM, TELEFONICA:
In telecoms, Swisscom, which sources say is bidding for Ireland's Eircom, reports on Thursday, while Telefonica may give more details on its bid for O2 when reporting on Friday.
Other telecoms updating the market include Deutsche Telekom, KPN, BT and Telecom Italia.
"We highlighted in June that Telecom Italia would be the next incumbent to revise down mobile growth projections. We now believe much of the mobile downside is factored into the stock, but await full details of the new mobile strategy before we can turn more positive," Lehman Brothers analysts said.
Economists expect the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee to keep base rates on hold at 4.5 percent on Thursday, with activity still below trend despite some signs of a general economic pick up.
Drugs groups Bayer AG and Sanofi-Aventis are also on the corporate agenda this week, alongside blue chips EADS, E.ON AG and technology heavyweight Siemens, which posts year figures.
Ryanair and Lufthansa are among airlines posting quarterly earnings.
A number of food and drinks groups also report, including Carlsberg, Associated British Foods , Inbev and SABMiller.
On Tuesday, shareholders of relisted Parmalat are set to vote on a new board.