07:39 AM EDT, 03/25/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked higher midday Wednesday as traders monitored developments in the Middle East war, and reports of a peace overture to Tehran from Washington. Easing crude prices boosted sentiments.

However, Israeli-US strikes on Iran, and Iranian bombardments of Middle East neighbors continued.

Tech and bank stocks led broad gains on continental trading floors.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures flashing green, and solidly higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges, including a 2.9% rise on Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index.

In economic news, Germany's business climate index fell to 86.4 in March, off from 88.4 in February, reported the Institute for Economic Research (Ifo). "Uncertainty among companies has increased noticeably. The war in Iran has put any hope of a recovery on ice for the time being," said Ifo.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 1.5% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 2%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1.8%.

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

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 1.5%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was up 1.3%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 1.7%, and the FTSE 100 in London gained 1.3%. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 1.6%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lifted 1.5%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were lower, near 2.96%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 6.1% at $94.13 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 3.7% at 30.62, indicating above-average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a negative signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.