06:36 AM EST, 02/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Thursday, again testing all-time zeniths as traders awaited the Bank of England's rate decision and digested earnings-season results.

Food, tech, and oil stocks led broad market gains.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures, which signaled green, and largely higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges, as tech shares moved north.

The Bank of England is expected to lower its key policy interest rate to 4.50% from 4.75% at noontime in London, its third rate cut in six months.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.7% in mid-session trading, testing a new record high.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 0.6%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 1.1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 1%, and the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 1.1%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.3%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index advanced 0.3%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 in London was up 1.2%, also testing a record high. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.7%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.6%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.37%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were up 0.7% to $75.14 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 2.3% to 16.09 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.