Ukraine Outlook, BoE Rate Cut Boost European Bourses Midday

08:03 AM EDT, 08/07/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked higher midday Thursday after reports that US President Donald Trump may meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek a ceasefire in Ukraine, and after the Bank of England eased monetary policy.

Tech and bank stocks led gainers, while food and property issues lagged.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures flashing green, and solidly higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges, after Beijing reported better-than-expected international trade figures for August.

In economic news, citing muted inflation, the Bank of England cut its key policy interest rate to 4% from 4.25%, after holding rates steady at its previous policy session in mid-June.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 1% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1.9%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was off 0.3%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index gained 0.4%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.4%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was up 0.2%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 1.8%, but the FTSE 100 in London lost 0.7%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 1.3%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.7%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.65%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 0.8% to $67.26 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 3.6% to 17.44, 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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