European Markets Mixed As Investors Wait For Stimulus Measures

The French CAC 40 index was up 0.23 percent or 7.98 point to 3421.05. Shares of Peugeot SA advanced 0.53 percent and those of Technip SA rose 0.10 percent.

London's FTSE 100 index rose 0.27 percent or 15.34 points to 5726.82. Shares of Evraz Plc advanced 1.64 percent and those of Fresnillo Plc climbed 1.28 percent.

The German DAX 30 index fell 0.12 percent or 8.48 points to 6962.31. Shares of Deutsche Bank AG dropped 0.97 percent and shares of Daimler AG declined 0.76 percent.

Spain's IBEX 35 was down 0.12 percent or 9.10 points to 7411.40. Shares of Bankia SA dropped 2.31 percent and those of Bankinter SA declined 0.77 percent.

Market players are hoping for an announcement of the stimulus measures by the European Central Bank as investors feel that bold measures, including easing in the monetary policy, will give the much-needed thrust to boost liquidity in the euro zone financial system. Investors will be focusing on the ECB meeting Thursday in Frankfurt.

Investors sense that the policymakers in the euro zone will need to urgently follow their words with action. A re-launch of the ECB's bond-buying program is the absolute minimum to be expected.

Market players will be disappointed if the ECB decides that bond purchases will be limited and that they will not begin until after the European Financial Stabilization Mechanism (EFSM) or the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) have bought bonds themselves.

At the same time, it is likely that the central bank will reiterate that the governments must apply to the EFSF for support and accept the conditions set out by the EFSF before the ECB will buy bonds.