Middle East Turmoil, Higher Crude Bills Damp European Bourses Midday

07:44 AM EDT, 09/08/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked modestly lower midday as traders weighed fresh hostilities in the Middle East and rising petroleum prices. Saudi Arabia said attacks from Yemen's Houthis had halted operations at several energy facilities, multiple news outlets reported. Food and oil stocks led gains on continental trading floors, while tech and bank shares lagged. Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 1.7% at $98.60 a barrel in midday action. Investors also eyed muted Wall Street futures, and lower closes overnight on Asian exchanges. In economic news, Germany's exports were down 0.8% in July from June, and imports dropped 5.7%, reported the Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis. Year on year, Germany's exports increased by 6.1% in July, and imports rose by 3%. The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was off 0.1% mid-session. The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 0.6%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 0.6%. The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index rose 0.2%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index inclined 1.5%. The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 0.5%. On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 0.2%, and the FTSE 100 in London was flat. The CAC 40 in Paris was marginally lower, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 0.3%. Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 3.38%. The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 3.2% at 16.90, but still 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.