Major stock indices in Europe trading mixed ahead of ECB

European stocks traded mixed as investors are waiting for the outcome of the ECB meeting. Some support for markets has higher oil prices in response to data from API, reporting the largest reduction in US oil inventories since 1999.

Also today, the ECB will present updated forecasts for GDP growth and inflation. It is expected that GDP will be revised lower, given Brexit. At the same time, experts note that the assessment of inflation may also be revised downward.

"Instead of waiting for concrete action from the ECB this time we will continue to look for any signals about what could be done, if necessary, - said Alan Higgins, chief investment officer of Coutts & Co. - This means that The ECB may hint for an extension of QE and increase purchases of government bonds. The Central bank could clarify the question of whether the QE program could include bank bonds. "

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 grew by 0.1 percent.

Shares of ASML Holding NV fell 2.6 percent after Samsung Electronics said to sell about 6.3 million of the company's shares.

The cost of Micro Focus has increased by 16.1 percent, as Hewlett Packard Enterprise reported that they plan to combine the non-core assets, specializing in software from Micro Focus.

The capitalization of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has increased by 3.7 per cent after Morgan Stanley raised its rating.

Pearson shares fell 2.1 percent after its US partner, John Wiley & Sons, reported a decline in profits and revenues in the first fiscal quarter.

Air France-KLM Quotes climbed 0.9 percent after the company said that the number of passengers increased in August by 1.9 percent.

At the moment:

FTSE 100 +34.37 6880.95 + 0.50%

DAX -18.00 10734.98 -0.17%

CAC 40 -1.15 4556.51 -0.03%