European bourses tracked moderately higher midday Tuesday as global crude prices softened and traders weighed mixed reports of a possible renewal of Tehran-Washington peace negotiations, slated for Islamabad this week.
Front-month North Sea Brent crude oil futures were down 0.5% at $95.02 a barrel.
Tech and property stocks led gains on continental trading floors, while bank shares lagged.
Investors also eyed Wall Street futures in the green, and higher closes overnight on Asian exchanges.
In economic news, the European Commission will provide guidance on how to handle airport slots and passenger rights, as well as public-service obligations in the event of jet fuel shortages due to Persian Gulf hostilities, said European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas on Tuesday, reported Reuters.
There are no continental fuel shortages "as of today" but the consequences of a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could be "catastrophic," said Tzitzikostas.
The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.2% mid-session.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was up 1.2%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index gained 0.4%.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index eased 0.4%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 0.6%.
The REITE, a European REIT index, rose 0.8%.
On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was up 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 in London was flat. The CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.1%, and Spain's IBEX 35 lifted 0.4%.
Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were steady, near 2.98%.
The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was down 1.5% at 22.29, but still 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.