06:47 AM EST, 02/26/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly higher midday Thursday as traders leaned into tech issues after US-based bellwether Nvidia (NVDA) reported strong results overnight, even as they mull geopolitical outlooks in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Tech and property stocks led gains on continental trading floors, while retail shares lagged.

Crude oil prices faltered as traders assessed whether ongoing US-Iran negotiations, regarding Tehran's nuclear programs, could avert a military conflict.

Investors also eyed muted Wall Street futures, but largely higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, the Economic Sentiment Indicator in February decreased in both the euro area and the broader European Union (EU) to 98.3 from 99.3 in January, reported the European Commission.

The Employment Expectations Indicator also declined, to 97.6 in February from 98.2 in January in the euro area, and to 98.5 from 99.2 in the EU. The long-term average, or neutral, reading is 100 on the indices.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.1% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 0.8%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 0.4%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was flat, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.5%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.3%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was down 0.8%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.3%, and the FTSE 100 in London gained 0.1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.9%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 0.1%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.71%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 1.1% at $69.88 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 3.4% at 17.45, 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.

http://www.mtnewswires.com
Copyright © 2026 MT Newswires. All rights reserved. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.