Asian Cues, Fed Outlook Damp European Bourse Midday

06:51 AM EST, 11/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately lower midday Monday as traders weighed weak closes on Asian exchanges, and awaited clarity on the next move by the US central bank, the Federal Reserve.

Japan's Q3 gross domestic product (GDP) fell at an annual rate of 1.8%, reported officials, while Beijing-Tokyo tensions hit a high point after Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested Japan might intervene in a possible China-Taiwan military showdown. China has advised citizens to avoid visiting Japan.

Retail and bank stocks led declines on continental trading floors, while oil shares staged modest gains.

Investors also eyed moderately higher Wall Street futures.

The European Union's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 1.4% on-year in 2025 and 2026, rising to 1.5% in 2027, the European Commission forecast. The eurozone economy is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2025, 1.2% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, added the commission.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 0.7%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 0.9%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index rose 0.2%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index lost 0.7%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.3%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was down 1.3%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 in London was flat. The CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.4%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 0.9%.

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

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 0.1% at $64.35 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 0.1% at 20.08, indicating marginally 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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