European stocks opened mixed Wednesday, but sentiment generally remains subdued and markets lack direction.

The pan-European Stoxx index was up 0.1% at market open before quickly dropping into negative territory, with sectors a mix of minor gains and losses. Banking stocks had a marginal uptick of 0.5%, followed by retail, which was up 0.4%. Health-care stocks, chemicals and telecom each dropped 0.4%.

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed overnight as China's trade data missed forecasts, with exports tumbling 7.5% year on year, sharply lower than the 0.4% fall expected, while imports saw a smaller fall of 4.5% year on year, lower than the 8% that was forecast.

Source : CNBC