The European stock markets hold the ground before the ECB; London rises on falling pound

Dec 10 (Reuters) – European stocks showed little change at the open Thursday after a meeting between UK and EU leaders failed to make a breakthrough, with investors also on hold for the policy meeting. monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB).

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was stable, while London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.5% as the pound’s depreciation resumed.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave themselves until the weekend to seal a new trade pact after failing to overcome persistent disagreements over dinner on Wednesday.

About $ 1 trillion in annual trade, currently free of tariffs and quotas, is at stake if no deal is reached.

Investors will also be keeping an eye on the outcome of the long-awaited ECB meeting, with the market awaiting details of new stimulus measures already promised. The decision will be announced as usual at 1245 GMT, followed by a press conference at 1330 GMT.

(Information from Susan Mathew in Bengaluru; translated by Jose Elías Rodríguez)

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