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Sept 9 (Reuters) - European shares began the week on a

positive note after the benchmark index saw its worst day in

over a year on Friday, while investors await a slew of economic

data and expect the European Central Bank to cut interest rates

later in the week.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.5% by

0711 GMT on Monday, after it logged its worst weekly performance

since October 2023.

All regional bourses also advanced.

Investors will parse through consumer price figures from

Germany, Spain and France set to drop later in the week.

Britain's employment and GDP data are due on Tuesday and

Wednesday, respectively.

However, taking centre stage, is the ECB's refinancing rate

decision due on Thursday, where it is widely expected to cut

rates by 25 basis points.

A 1% gain in tech stocks, boosted the benchmark

index.

The travel and leisure outperformed other sectors,

rising 1.3%. The sub-index was boosted by a 5.2% gain in Entain ( GMVHF )

after the British gambling group said the second half of

this year started better-than-expected.

Adidas AG lost 3% after Barclays downgraded the

stock to "equal weight" from "overweight".