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Dec 23 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Wednesday as a
report that a Brexit trade deal could be struck later in the day
cheered investors amid concerns over the passage of a
much-awaited U.S. pandemic aid bill.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX traded 0.4% higher
after political editor Robert Peston at Britain's ITV said a
Brexit trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European
Union is possible on Wednesday after progress in talks on
fishing rights.
However, London's FTSE 100 .FTSE lagged as the pound
gained on the news and weighed on shares of internationally
focused firms on the index. .L GBP/
Daimler DAIGn.DE was the top boost to the STOXX 600, up
2.7% after business newspaper Handelsblatt reported the German
luxury carmaker is preparing a stock market listing of its
trucks division. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to not
sign an $892 billion coronavirus relief bill, saying it should
be amended to increase the amount in the stimulus checks for
individuals. MKTS/GLOB