European stocks close: stocks closed mixed as oil prices fell again

Stock indices closed mixed as oil prices fell again. Oil prices declined after the release of the U.S. crude oil inventories data.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of January meeting on Thursday. The minutes showed that downside risks to the outlook increased.

"Downside risks had increased again since the beginning of the current year, amid heightened uncertainty about the growth prospects of emerging market economies, volatility in financial markets and geopolitical risks," the ECB said.

"Weaker than anticipated growth in wages, in conjunction with declining inflation expectations, could also signal increased risks of second-round effects," the central bank noted.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released its growth forecast on Thursday. The OECD downgraded its global growth outlook.

"Global growth prospects have practically flat-lined, recent data have disappointed and indicators point to slower growth in major economies, despite the boost from low oil prices and low interest rates," OECD Chief Economist Catherine L. Mann.

"Given the significant downside risks posed by financial sector volatility and emerging market debt, a stronger collective policy approach is urgently needed, focusing on a greater use of fiscal and pro-growth structural policies, to strengthen growth and reduce financial risks," she added.

The OECD expect the global economy to grow 3.0% in 2016, down from the previous estimate of 3.3%, and at 3.3% in 2017, down from the previous estimate of 3.6%.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. The ECB released its current account on Thursday. Eurozone's current account surplus declined to a seasonally adjusted €25.5 billion in December from €26.9 billion in November. The trade surplus fell to €26.5 billion in December from €27.5 billion in November. In 2015 as whole, current account surplus €314.0 billion or 3% of GDP.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 5,971.95 -58.37 -0.97 %

DAX 9,463.64 +86.43 +0.92 %

CAC 40 4,239.76 +6.29 +0.15 %