European Stocks Close Mixed ahead of ECB Meeting

European stocks showed a mixed performance on Wednesday, with investors awaiting the decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding the future of the Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP).

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose marginally by a little less than 0.1% at 454.44 points.

The benchmark index in France, the CAC40, logged a rise of 0.19%, while the main indices of the German and British markets lost 0.38% and 0.20%, respectively.

Most expectations lean towards the ECB maintaining the current policies and staying away from tapering for the time being.

In addition, Thursday’s meeting will see the release of the central bank’s projections for inflation and growth.