06:48 AM EST, 12/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly lower midday Thursday as traders awaited the pending interest-rate decision from the European Central Bank and mulled reports from the Ukrainian theater.

The ECB is expected to cut its deposit rate to 3% from 3.25% in a bid to spur the continent's economic growth as inflation cools.

In geopolitical news, Russia will "definitely" respond to Ukraine's recent use of longer-range "ATACMS" missiles, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Food and beverage stocks gained, while retail and tech issues lagged.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures modestly signaling red, but higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.

In economic news, the Swiss National Bank lowered its key policy rate to 0.50% from 1%, effective Friday, the central bank announced.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.2%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.5%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.4% while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 0.8%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.2%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index declined 1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was steady, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.2%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lost 0.2%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher near 2.15%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were down 0.2% to $73.42 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 0.4% to 14.01, 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.