European bourses tracked lower midday Wednesday as traders weighed rising bond yields and oil prices, and looked ahead to a European Central Bank rate decision on Thursday.
The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was off 1.4% mid-session.
Oil stocks led scant gains on continental trading floors, while bank and tech shares lagged.
Investors also eyed Wall Street futures in the red amid uneven closes overnight on Asian exchanges.
Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 2.8% at $100.65 a barrel in midday trades, with oil prices exceeding $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
In economic news, the ECB Watch Tool estimates a 99% chance the central bank will raise rates to 2.50% from 2.25%. The ECB's accompanying explanation will be read for clues as to whether the monetary authority plans more rate hikes in 2026.
On the sectors, the Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 1.4%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 2.4% mid-session.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index gained 0.3%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 1.2%.
The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 1%.
On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 1.5%, and the FTSE 100 in London lost 1%. The CAC 40 in Paris was down 1.8%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 2.2%.
Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 3.4%.
The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 11% at 18.44, but still indicated 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.