07:52 AM EDT, 05/28/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately lower midday Tuesday as traders weighed geopolitical tensions, interest rates and the waning earnings season. An Egyptian-Israeli border clash burdened sentiments.

Retail and property stocks gained, while food issues lagged.

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

European Central Bank policymakers indicate a "June rate cut is a done deal" barring unforeseen events, reports UK newspaper The Guardian, citing French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was off 0.2% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 0.3%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was off 0.1%, and the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.4%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.8%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Insurance Index inclined 0.5%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was flat, and the FTSE 100 in London was down 0.3%. The CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.6%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lost 0.1%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.55%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 0.1% to $82.96 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 0.7% to 12.61, still 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.