GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks mostly dip as virus restrictions increase; sterling weakens

* S&P 500 slightly lower early, Nasdaq climbs
* Brexit jitters send sterling down
* U.S. bond yields ease

(Updates with early U.S. markets activity, changes dateline,
previous MILAN)
By Caroline Valetkevitch
NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Stocks on global indexes mostly
eased on Monday as worries increased over the economy because of
increased restrictions due to COVID-19, while sterling slumped
as Britain and the European Union made a last-ditch attempt to
strike a trade deal.
After surging to a fresh all-time high earlier on Monday,
the MSCI world equity index < .MIWD00000PUS>, which tracks
shares in 49 countries, was last down 0.1%. The U.S. benchmark
S&P 500 was also down slightly in early New York trading,
retreating from its recent record, while the Nasdaq gained.
Authorities in California, the most populous state in the
United States, on Monday compelled much of the state to close
shop and stay at home the day after it reported a record
30,000-plus new coronavirus cases. "I think what you are seeing today is a focus on the short
term with the shutdown, which is why technology is leading the
way," said Christopher Grisanti, chief equity strategist at MAI
Capital Management in Ohio.
Investor eyes also continue to be on negotiations between
U.S. Republicans and Democrats for approval of further
coronavirus relief. The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI fell 139.6
points, or 0.46%, to 30,078.66; the S&P 500 .SPX lost 3.96
points, or 0.11%, to 3,695.16 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC
added 64.58 points, or 0.52%, to 12,528.81.
Expectations of a U.S. stimulus aid package gathered pace
after weak payrolls data on Friday and following a bipartisan
proposal on a $908 million package last week that leaders on
both sides appeared open to agreeing to. The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX lost 0.33%.
British and European Union negotiators were trying to bridge
stubborn differences standing in the way of a post-Brexit trade
deal, but they had at best 48 hours to avoid a disorderly
parting of ways at the end of this month. Sterling fell in a sentiment reversal from Friday when the
British currency rose to 19-month high against the dollar.
Sterling GBP= was last trading at $1.3337, down 0.74% on the
day.
The dollar index =USD fell 0.062%, with the euro EUR= up
0.11% to $1.2133.
Investors also await an EU summit starting Thursday to break
an impasse over a 1.8 trillion-euro coronavirus aid package, as
well as the last European Central Bank policy meeting of the
year on the same day.
In the bond market, yields on most U.S. Treasuries fell as
rising coronavirus caseloads drove investors to buy the
safe-haven securities. Benchmark 10-year notes US10YT=RR last rose 11/32 in price
to yield 0.9344%, down from 0.969% late on Friday.
U.S. crude and Brent futures CLc1 LCOc1 eased, while
spot gold prices XAU= gained.

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World FX rates in 2020 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
2020 asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
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