07:37 AM EDT, 05/23/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European stock markets tracked moderately higher midday Thursday as tech issues gained, following the strong earnings report released overnight by US-based AI-industry colossus Nvidia (NVDA).

Energy stocks gained too, while food and property issues lagged.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, and choppy closes overnight on Asian exchanges, although Mumbai's Sensex struck a fresh all-time record high.

The flash Eurozone composite purchasing managers index (PMI) logged at 52.3 in May, up from 51.7 in April, and rising further above the 50-marker that separates growth from contraction, reported S&P Global.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.3% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1.4%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 0.2%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.4%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.6%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 1.1%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was flat.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.2%, and the FTSE 100 in London was steady. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.3%, and Spain's IBEX 35 was flat.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher at 2.54%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were up 0.8% to $82.54 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 3.9% to 12.25, 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.