Middle East, Fed Outlooks Damp European Bourses Midday

07:48 AM EDT, 06/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked lower midday Wednesday as traders awaited updates from the Middle East conflict, and a rate decision later in the day by the US Federal Reserve.

Tech stocks led decliners, while bank issues held firm.

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

US President Donald Trump is weighing a potential strike against Iran, among other options, amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing administration officials.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was off 0.5% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 0.5%, while the Stoxx 600 Banks Index was up 0.3%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was off 0.2%, as was the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.5%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was little changed.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.4%, and the FTSE 100 in London lost 0.1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.3%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 0.4%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.52%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 0.4% at $76.75 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 4.1% to 23.01, 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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