European stocks trade mixed as concerns over inflation dominate market sentiment

This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets.

European stocks were mixed on Thursday as global markets focused on the inflation outlook.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was last trading around the flatline at around 8:45 a.m. London time after starting the day lower. Retail stocks fell 1.47%, while mining stocks added 1.33%.

Major regional bourses were last mixed, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 trading 0.46% higher while Germany's DAX was 0.12% lower.

The inflation outlook in the U.S., Asia and Europe takes center stage this week, with markets being buffeted by concerns about persistent inflationary pressures.

Asia-Pacific markets tumbled in a choppy session overnight as investors worried the U.S. Federal Reserve would delay policy easing due to inflation worries, while China's entrenched consumer disinflation dented sentiment.

Minutes released from the Fed's December meeting showed nearly all the FOMC's members believed upside risks to the inflation outlook had increased, adding to investors' concerns that there may be fewer rate cuts than expected this year.

U.S. financial markets are closed Thursday in honor of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died in late December at age 100. A state funeral for the country's 39th president is taking place today.

Vehicle deliveries from the Volkswagen brand came to around 4.8 million in 2024, 1.4% less than in the previous year, the company said Thursday.

"Around the globe, 2024 was a difficult year with sluggish economic activity, political challenges and intense competition – particularly in China," Martin Sander, Volkswagen board member for sales, marketing and after sales, said in a statement.

Deliveries in China tumbled by 8.3% year-on-year to 2,198,900, according to data from