07:39 AM EDT, 06/24/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Monday as traders digested continental election prospects, and awaited a Bank of Sweden rate decision later in the week.

Bank stocks gained, while tech and retail issues lagged.

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

The Ifo Business Climate indicator for Germany declined to 88.6 in June 2024 from 89.3 in May, the Ifo Institute reported.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.5% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.1%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1.4%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.5%, and the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 0.7%.

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

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.7%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.5%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.9%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.8%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.43%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were up 0.3% to $84.59 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.8% to 17.30, 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.