07:40 AM EDT, 04/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Friday, as traders pinned hopes on easing international trade tensions and viewed overnight rallies in the US and Asia.

Bank, property and retail stocks gained, while tech and food issues lagged.

In economic news, a UK consumer confidence index declined to negative 23 in April from negative 19 in March, reported market-research outfit GfK.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.2% steady mid-session.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.1%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.5%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.5%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index inclined 0.5%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.7%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.4%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.4%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 1%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.47%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 1.3% to $65.69 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 3.1% to 22.70, 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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