European stocks were slightly higher Wednesday, as investors attempted to decipher conflicting signals over the potential for a reprieve in the U.S.-Sino trade dispute. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed provisionally up 0.04 percent during deals, with sectors and major bourses pointing in opposite directions.

Europe's technology stocks sat among the gainers Wednesday, up 0.71 percent amid renewed hopes of a breakthrough in simmering trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Stocks in the Basic Resources basket also outperformed. Looking at individual stocks, France's EDF traded higher after President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that a decision regarding a possible increase of the state's stake in the company would take place next year. Shares of the Paris-listed stock rose 1.8 percent. Meanwhile, Danone slumped towards the bottom of the index after Goldman Sachs downwardly revised its stock recommendation to "sell" from "neutral" Wednesday morning. Shares of the company slipped 1.6 percent on the news. The biggest loser was Milan-listed Tenaris. The stock closed nearly 7 percent lower after news it is to be investigated for allegedly providing misleading investment information.

G-20 summit and Brexit