Earnings, ECB Outlook Lift European Bourses Midday

06:52 AM EST, 02/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Friday as traders weighed earnings, and Thursday's report from the European Central Bank (ECB) that the continental economy is expanding, and inflation is generally muted.

Bank, oil, and property stocks led gains on regional trading floors, while food and retail shares lagged. The tech-stock sell-off appeared largely played out.

Stellantis shares declined 26.1% midday after the global auto giant announced a charge of 22.2 billion euros ($25.9 billion) for 2025 H2, due in part to costs to reset production to meet consumer demand and reduce EV offerings.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures moderately flashing green, but largely lower closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, the ECB's Survey of Professional Forecasters quarterly outlook predicted that continental consumer prices will inflate at 1.8% in 2026 and then 2.0% in 2027.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.3% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 0.2%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.9%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index rose 0.6%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.3%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.5%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was down 1.1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.5%, and the FTSE 100 in London gained 0.2%. The CAC 40 in Paris was flat, and Spain's IBEX 35 lifted 0.8%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.82%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were steady at $67.57 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 5.7% at 20.05, indicating average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a neutral signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.