06:41 AM EST, 02/12/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Thursday as traders mulled a strong US labor market report on Wednesday, and reassessed values in the financial sector after a money-management merger was disclosed.

Bank stocks led gains on continental trading floors, while property shares lagged.

In market news, Schroders shares jumped 28.9% midday after US-based Nuveen agreed to buy the British money manager for $13.5 billion.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures flashing green and higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, a Bank of England rate cut could come at one of the central bank's next two policy sessions if inflation keeps easing, BoE Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden told the BusinessLive news service.

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 0.7%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index eased 0.2%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index rose 0.3%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 1%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was down 0.1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 1.2%, and the FTSE 100 in London gained 0.2%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.6%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 0.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were steady, near 2.80%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were down 0.4% at $69.10 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.6% at 17.71, 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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