UPDATE 2-Brexit optimism puts European stocks within spitting distance of record high

* Italian stocks lead regional gains
* French stocks at over 12-year high
* 2020 could be a good year for Europe- Analyst
* UK Q3 GDP revised up

(Writes through with fresh comment, updates prices)
By Ambar Warrick and Medha Singh
LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - European stocks came close to a
record high on Friday as further confirmation of a Jan. 31
Brexit date saw investors buying into markets that have been
roiled by uncertainty for more than three years.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval for his
Brexit deal in parliament on Friday, further convincing markets
that an overwhelming Conservative majority will likely result in
a smooth exit from the European Union. Positive headlines on Brexit, along with a thaw in Sino-U.S.
trade tensions, have primed the STOXX 600 for its best fourth
quarter since 2011. Analysts also expect a relatively stronger
2020 on the back of recovering economic growth in the bloc.
"The reason for the optimism is that we know through
Christine Lagarde that the monetary policy in the EU will
continue to do the heavy lifting, although its effects have
diminished," said Ephie Coumanakos, managing partner of Concord
Financial Group.
"Overall, 2020 could be a good year for Europe. Not an
accelerating year - growth will still remain fairly subdued -
(but) we're starting to see some improvement. We hope to see a
little more inflation. I'm cautiously optimistic."
The pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX rose 0.7% on Friday,
coming just a few points off a record peak touched earlier in
the week.
Milan-listed shares .FTMIB outperformed regional peers for
the day, touching their highest in more than 1-1/2 years on
gains in Italy's biggest utility, Enel ENEI.MI . Its shares
rose 1% after Moody's improved its outlook on the Latin American
unit Enel Americas ENELAM.SN to positive.
Payments group Nexi NEXII.MI gained 2.4% after Intesa
SanPaolo ISP.MI on Thursday said it was selling its retailers'
payment business to Nexi in a 1 billion-euro ($1.1 billion)
deal. France's CAC .FCHI touched its highest level since July
2007, rising nearly 0.7%. Cosmetics maker L'Oreal SA OREP.PA
was the best performer on the index.
London's exporter-heavy FTSE 100 .FTSE was flat as the
pound strengthened. Domestically focused stocks .FTMC
recovered from losses earlier in the day to trade sideways.
GBP/
The final reading on Britain's third quarter growth showed
the economy grew a little faster than first estimated and the
country's current account deficit shrank to its smallest since
2012. Among individual stocks, the London-listed shares of travel
firm Carnival Corp CCL.L were the best performers on the STOXX
600 after its quarterly revenue beat expectations. NMC Health NMC.L was the worst performer on the STOXX 600,
falling for a fourth straight session after short seller Muddy
Waters took aim at the stock earlier in the week.