07:39 AM EDT, 08/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly higher midday Monday as traders weighed the slowing earnings season and looked for fresh catalysts.

An index of market volatility declined back into a calm or positive zone.

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

Trading-floor denizens also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, but mixed closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

Wholesale prices in July in Germany were down 0.1% on year, but up 0.3% from June, reported Destatis.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.2% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 0.4%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.5%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 1%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.2%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.3%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index declined 0.1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.3%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.7%. The CAC 40 in Paris was flat, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.25%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 1% to $80.47 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 6.5% to 19.09, falling below 20 and 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.