European stocks close mixed despite bright growth data

Europe's main stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday, despite news of solid first quarter economic growth in the eurozone -- with France outpacing powerhouse Germany -- and encouraging company results. After spending most of the day in positive territory, Paris' benchmark CAC 40 index of leading French companies ended 0.26 percent lower at 4,961.86 points compared with Tuesday's close. London's FTSE 100 also lost much of its earlier momentum, but finished 0.23 percent up at