European stocks close: stocks closed mixed ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting this week

Stock indices closed mixed as market participants were cautious ahead of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting on Thursday. Analysts expect the central bank to add further stimulus measures.

Meanwhile, the economic data from Germany was mixed. Destatis released its consumer price data for Germany on Monday. German preliminary consumer price index increased 0.1% in November, in line with expectations, after a flat reading in October.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index increased to 0.4% in November from 0.3% in October, in line with expectations.

The annual increase was mainly driven by a rise in services prices, which were up 1.2% year-on-year in November.

Goods prices dropped 0.6% year-on-year in November, driven by a decline in energy prices. Energy prices slid 7.5% year-on-year in November.

German adjusted retail sales fell 0.4% in October, missing forecasts of a 0.4% gain, after a flat reading in September.

On a yearly basis, German retail sales jumped 2.1% in October, missing expectations for a 2.9% gain, after a 3.5% rise in September. September's figure was revised up from a 3.4% increase.

Sales of non-food products increased at an annual rate of 1.8% in October, while sales of food, beverages and tobacco products climbed by 2.3%.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its number of mortgages approvals for the U.K. on Monday. The number of mortgages approvals in the U.K. was up to 69,630 in October from 69,012 in September, missing expectations for an increase to 70,000. September's figure was revised up from 68,874.

Consumer credit in the U.K. rose by £1.178 billion in October, missing expectations for a £1.300 billion increase, after a £1.303 billion gain in September. September's figure was revised down from £1.261 billion.

Net lending to individuals in the U.K. increased by £4.8 billion in October, after a £4.85 billion gain in September.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,356.09 -19.06 -0.30 %

DAX 11,382.23 +88.47 +0.78 %

CAC 40 4,957.6 +27.46 +0.56 %