German stocks were almost flat on Tuesday ahead of the FOMC minutes release due later in the day. Moreover, anticipation of the ECB meeting due on Thursday adds caution in the equity market. Financial shares were mixed. Commerzbank gained 0.87% while Deutsche Bank retreated 0.74%. Basic materials producers followed bullish trend despite disappointing China manufacturing data release. Linde and HeidelbergCement rose 1.03% and 1.65%. Meanwhile, automobile shares were weak . Daymler and Volkswagen sank 1.15% and 0.83%.