07:55 AM EDT, 05/08/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Wednesday as a generally good earnings season, and the outlook for possible easing from European central banks, lifted sentiments.

London's FTSE 100 Index again tested fresh record all-time highs. The Bank of England will weigh the case for rate cuts and conclude a monetary policy meeting Thursday.

Germany-based Siemens Energy rose 12.6% midday after the energy company boosted its 2024 outlook for profits.

Food and beverage stocks led gainers, while property, tech and retail issues lagged.

Investors also eyed flat Wall Street futures, and lower closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.1%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index was down 0.2%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was down 0.1%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 1.4%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.6%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index also declined 0.3%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.3%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.3%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.8%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.6%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.459%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 1% to $82.30 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.5% to 14.09, 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.