06:58 AM EST, 12/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked sideways midday Monday as traders mulled uncertain Middle East governments, and awaited the Thursday policy meeting of the European Central Bank.

Yields on 10-year French national bonds remained elevated above those of peer German sovereigns, but broad-market equity indices in Paris edged higher in morning trading. France President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce a fresh Prime Minister soon.

Bank and oil issues gained, while property issues lagged.

Investors also eyed muted Wall Street futures, and choppy closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, the overall economic optimism index for the eurozone fell to negative 17.5 in December, down negative 12.9 in November, reported market-research house Sentix.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was steady mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.3%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.7%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 1.3%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.6%.

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

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.2%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.3%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.4%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lost 0.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.11%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 1.1% to $71.94 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 2.6% to 14.85, 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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