06:39 AM EST, 03/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Monday as traders weighed the Russian-Ukraine war, and the outlook for defense spending on the continent.

Tech, bank and oil stocks gained, while property and retail issues lagged.

Great Britain's BAE Systems gained 13.5% midday, as traders embraced the defense, aerospace and security company's outlook given a possible reduction in the US' role in the Ukraine war.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green and higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

The Eurozone's consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.4% in February on the year, down from the 2.5% pace logged in January, reported Eurostat.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.6% mid-session, striking a record high.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.8%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 1.1%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.1%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 1.1%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index declined 0.5%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 1%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.6%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.7%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lost 0.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.48%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were up 0.2% to $72.96 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 0.2% to 18.40, 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.