Major European stock indices trading mixed

European stocks fluctuate slightly and mixed, investors await the outcome of tomorrow's meeting of the European Central Bank.

According to most economists, the ECB will not make adjustments to monetary policy, and later this year will extend the asset purchase program at least until the beginning of 2018.

In addition, investors assess the report on inflation in Germany (1.7% in December, a record figure since 2013), final data on the growth of consumer prices in the euro zone and UK data on the labor market.

Eurozone annual inflation was 1.1% in December 2016, compared with 0.6% in November. In December 2015, this figure was 0.2%. EU annual inflation was 1.2% in December 2016, compared with 0.6% in November. A year earlier the rate was 0.2%, says Eurostat.

The unemployment rate in the UK remained stable in the three months to November, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell, showed the Office for National Statistics. The unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, the lowest since September 2005 and in line with expectations of economists. During the three months to November, unemployment fell by 52,000 to 1.6 million people. The average salary, including bonuses, increased by 2.8 percent compared with the previous year and earnings excluding bonuses were up 2.7 percent. The level of applications for unemployment benefits remained steady at 2.3 percent in December. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits fell by 10,100 in November.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 fell 0.1% to 362.05 points.

Shares of Pearson Plc dropped by 26% after the company downgraded the outlook for the current year, gave up the forecast for 2018, reduced dividends and announced plans to sell its stake in Penguin Random House. As stated in the press release, the operating profit in 2017 will be between 570 million to 630 million pounds ($ 705 million - $ 780 million).

Burberry shares rose 0.3%. Retail revenue of one of the world's leading manufacturers of luxury goods increased in the 3rd quarter of 2017 by 4% excluding changes in exchange rates and by 22% taking into account currency fluctuations.

The capitalization of Deutsche Bank AG fell 0.5%. The largest bank in Germany and the US Department of Justice ompleted work on the settlement. The amount of the settlement has not changed - $ 7.2 billion, according to a Ministry of Justice report.

At the moment:

FTSE 7233.08 12.70 0.18%

DAX 11555.26 15.26 0.13%

CAC 4841.30 -18.39 -0.38%