Stocks stage small ‘Santa rally,’ Brexit deal hopes lift pound

LONDON: Stocks rose on Wednesday as a last-minute intervention by US President Donald Trump over pandemic relief plans failed to wipe out positive sentiment, while the pound gained on the possibility of a Brexit trade deal.

In a video posted on Twitter, Trump said a stimulus bill, agreed after months of wrangling in Congress, was “a disgrace” and that he wanted to increase “ridiculously low” $600 checks for individuals to $2,000.