06:44 AM EST, 01/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly higher midday Tuesday as traders awaited clarity from the incoming Trump Administration in Washington, and weighed softer petroleum prices.

Property stocks edged north, while oil issues lagged, with few large sector moves.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, and higher closes overnight on major Asian exchanges.

In economic news, Germany's economic sentiment index in January dropped to 10.3 from 15.7 in December, reported the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). Germany's private household spending is weak, along with a soft construction sector, said a ZEW officer.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.1% mid-session.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was off 0.5%, and the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.3%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.2%, but the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index declined 0.1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was steady, and the FTSE 100 in London was flat. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.1%, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 0.5%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.50%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 1.8% to $78.73 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 2.1% to 16.14, 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.