07:45 AM EDT, 03/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked mostly higher midday Thursday as traders mulled Ukraine-Russia peace talks, and possible higher European government outlays in 2025.

Retail, bank and oil stocks gained, while property issues lagged.

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

In political news, US diplomat Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, to discuss a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.

In economic news, seasonally adjusted industrial production in the Eurozone rose 0.8% in January from December, but was flat on year, reported Eurostat. In the broader European Union, industrial production rose 0.3% on month in January, and fell by 0.2% on year.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.4% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 0.2%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.6%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.6%, and the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 0.1%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.4%, but the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index inclined 0.7%.

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

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.90%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 0.1% to $70.85 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.6% to 21.09, indicating above-average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a negative signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.

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