By Dec 23 Reuters UKs FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday as a stronger pound weighed on the exporters, while midcap stocks rose as France agreed to lift a ban on freight from Britain imposed to contain a new coronavirus variant.
The bluechip FTSE 100 fell 0.2 by 0807 GMT, underperforming its European peers that rebounded from a selloff on fears about the highly infectious coronavirus variant in Britain.
Domestically focused midcap FTSE 250 inched higher as a deal was reached with Paris to restore critical trade links between UK and other parts of Europe, ending a border blockade imposed to contain the new coronavirus strain.
However, a British minister said the UK and the European Union have still not clinched a trade deal, with just eight days left before Britain exits the EUs orbit.
In company news, British pub operator Marstons rose 1 after it said it will operate Brains 156 pubs in Wales in a deal that will save 1,300 jobs.
Reporting by Shivani Kumaresan in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard Orr
Source Reuters
