06:57 AM EST, 02/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly higher midday as traders await developments in the Ukraine-Russia war and negotiations, and embrace defense and aerospace issues.

Bank and oil stocks also led gainers, while food and tech issues lagged.

An index of European aerospace and defense stocks, the STOXX Europe Total Market Aerospace and Defense Index, traded up 1.4% midday after continental leaders met on Monday in Paris to discuss bolstered military spending.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, but uneven closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, the Germany economy sentiment index rose to 26.0 in February from 10.3 in January, reported the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW).

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.1% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.5%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.5%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.5%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.3%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index declined 0.4%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.1%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was steady, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.5%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.50%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 0.6% to $75.64 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 1.6% to 16.47, 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.