European Stocks Close Fixed After Cautious Trade Ahead Of ECB Meeting, US Inflation Data BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks closed mixed on Wednesday with traders largely staying wary of building up positions as they looked ahead to upcoming U.S. inflation data and the policy meeting of the European Central Bank for directional clues. Amid ample chatter about rising inflation, the release of key U.S. consumer inflation data on Thursday may provide some cues on policy tapering. The ECB is likely to maintain a higher pace of asset purchases for another quarter when it reviews monetary policy on Thursday.