06:48 AM EST, 01/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked moderately lower midday Friday as traders watched sagging interest rates in mainland China, and awaited more clarity on tariffs under the incoming Trump Administration in Washington.

Oil stocks led gainers, while tech issues lagged.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures signaling green, but choppy closes overnight on Asian exchanges, while yields on 10-year China sovereign bonds declined under 1.60%, a fresh all-time low, and possibly a signal of a soggy Sino economy.

In European economic news, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Germany logged at 6% in December, the Federal Employment Agency reported.

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

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was off 0.9%, but the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.1%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index was up 0.7%, but the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.4%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, was steady, but the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index inclined 0.1%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.4%, and the FTSE 100 in London was down 0.1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was off 0.9%, and Spain's IBEX 35 was steady.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.39%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were down 0.5% to $75.54 per barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 0.1% to 17.22, still indicating below-average volatility for European stock markets over the next 30 days, a positive signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.