GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks slip as virus restrictions tighten; sterling weakens

* S&P 500, Dow end lower; Nasdaq registers record high
* Brexit jitters send sterling down
* U.S. bond yields ease

(Updates closing U.S. market levels)
By Caroline Valetkevitch
NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Stocks on global indexes mostly
eased on Monday as worries escalated over increasing COVID-19
cases and economic restrictions, while sterling slumped as
Britain and the European Union have yet to narrow their
differences on a trade deal.
On Wall Street, the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 slipped 0.2%,
retreating from its recent record high, but the Nasdaq posted a
record closing high as investors snapped up mega-cap growth
stocks. Authorities in California, the most populous U.S. state, 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. Investor eyes also continue to be on negotiations between
Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress for approval of
further coronavirus relief. "It is just kind of a waiting game, we are waiting to see if
there is going to be any stimulus attached to this funding
bill," said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird.
Expectations of a U.S. stimulus aid package gathered pace
after weak payrolls data on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI fell 148.47 points,
or 0.49%, to 30,069.79, the S&P 500 .SPX lost 7.16 points, or
0.19%, to 3,691.96 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 55.71
points, or 0.45%, to 12,519.95.
Large-cap growth stocks .RLG , which had underperformed
value stocks .RLV in recent weeks as investors looked to names
likely to benefit from a reopened economy, edged up while value
declined.
The MSCI world equity index < .MIWD00000PUS>, which tracks
shares in 49 countries, was down 0.1%, while the pan-European
STOXX 600 index .STOXX ended down 0.3%.
British and EU leaders will meet face-to-face to try to seal
a post-Brexit trade deal after failing again to narrow their
differences on Monday.
That could raise the chance of a disorderly parting of ways
at the end of the month. Sterling fell in a sentiment reversal from Friday when the
British currency rose to a 19-month high against the dollar.
Sterling GBP= was last trading at $1.34, down 0.51% on the
day.
Investors also await an EU summit starting on 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 13/32 in price
to yield 0.93%, from 0.97% late on Friday.
Oil prices slipped, with traders weighing the positive
impact from an OPEC+ deal on production against increasing
coronavirus cases. Brent crude LCOc1 fell 46 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at
$48.79 a barrel. U.S. crude CLc1 fell 50 cents, or 1.1%, to
settle at $45.76 a barrel. Spot gold prices XAU= gained.

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