December 24, 2020: European stock markets edged higher at the open on Thursday with Britain and the EU finally expected to announce a post-Brexit trade deal.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.2 percent to 6,506.07 points at the start of a shortened pre-Christmas trading day, while the pound was up around half-a-percent against the euro and dollar.

In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 index rose 0.2 percent to 5,537.84 points while Frankfurt was shut ahead of the festive break.

AFP/APP

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