Europe opens in green as investors await Brexit deal announcement
Shares on major European stock markets edged up to start Thursday's session in the green territory with investors expecting the European Union and United Kingdom to seal the agreement on the two sides' post-Brexit trade relations.
According to media reports, Brussels and London are close to reaching the deal, though EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost continue the talks. The announcement of the deal is reportedly expected to come during the session.
The CAC 40 in Paris advanced 0.20% at the opening bell with Societe Generale climbing more than 2%, while the FTSE 100 gained 0.13% at the same time with Persimmon surging over 4% at 9:01 am CET. The DAX in Frankfurt was closed on Thursday due to the exchange holiday. The euro added 0.09% to go for $1.22068 at 8:58 am CET, while the pound jumped 0.43% to change hands at $1.35646 a minute later.