07:44 AM EDT, 05/01/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses were largely closed on holiday Wednesday, though London remained open and inched higher.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling red, and lower closes overnight on Asian exchanges in holiday-thinned trading.

Shares in Aston Martin Lagonda Global traded down 4.5% midday after the automaker reported earnings, and soft SUV sales.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were steady, near 2.58%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 1.3% at $85.21 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 3% at 15.57, 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.