(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 16 feb - European share prices were higher at midday, supported by gains in the defense and financial sectors, while trading volumes remained light due to the market holiday in the US.

The advance in banking and financial stocks represents a rebound following a period of volatility linked to concerns over AI disruptions. Investors are increasingly looking past these worries, focusing instead on the broader monetary policy outlook.

On the data front, Eurostat reported a 1.4% monthly decline in December industrial production for the eurozone, a sharper fall than the 0.8% drop seen in the EU.

Looking ahead, market participants are bracing for a series of key economic indicators, including UK inflation data and the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday. These releases are expected to provide further clarity on the potential timing of interest rate cuts later this year.

At 1140 GMT, London's FTSE 100 was up 0.14% at 10,460.82 points, while Frankfurt's DAX edged up 0.03% to 24,911.70 points. In Paris, the CAC 40 rose 0.28% to 8,334.75 points, and Milan's FTSE MIB gained 0.37% to 45,597.50 points. In.

Madrid, the IBEX 35 advanced 1.06% to 17,859.98 points.

(RADIOCOR) 16-02-26 11:43:21 (0211) 5 NNNN