07:48 AM EDT, 04/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Friday as traders weighed strong US tech-sector earnings, and a decision overnight by the Bank of Japan to maintain a generally accommodative monetary policy.

Bank, property and tech stocks rallied, while food issues lagged. London's FTSE 100 again tested all-time record highs.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, and higher closes overnight on major Asian exchanges.

Euro area consumers surveyed in March expected inflation in the following 12 months to log about 3%, down marginally from the 3.1% expected in February, reported the European Central Bank (ECB).

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.7% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1.6%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.4%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.1%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 1.1%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index inclined 0.2%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.8%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.5%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.4%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 1.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.60%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 0.7% to $89.60 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 4.9% to 15.55, indicating below-average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a positive signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.

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