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* European Stoxx 600 index down 0.1%
*
Jan 5 - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of
markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your
thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com
OPENING SNAPSHOT: RETAILERS AND OIL AND GAS LEAD (0843 GMT)
Equities are little changed as bullish sentiment seems to be
undeterred, but investors paused the enthusiasm a tad ahead of
the results of the runoffs in Georgia that will decide which
party controls the U.S. Senate.
Democrats have to win the two seats in order to put the
balance at 50-50 with the tie breaker vice-president Kamala
Harris.
The STOXX 600 flattened after opening higher, with retailers
stocks leading gains up 1.3%, followed by oil and gas shares
while deadlocked talks between major oil producers about
potential changes in February output are set to continue later
in the day.
Among single stocks Next is the best STOXX 600
performer, up 7.7%, after its trading update.
Shares in UK airlines suffer a negative start after stricter
lockdown measures but they recover quickly and are now not far
from yesterday’s levels.
(Stefano Rebaudo)
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U.S POLITICS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT (0633 GMT)
European stock futures are in negative territory as
attention turns to runoff elections in Georgia, which will
decide the majority in the U.S. Senate with a significant impact
on president elect Joe Biden’s agenda.
The outcome of the vote is too close to call but the
uncertainty, which could drag on for days, might create a
fertile breeding ground from some pullbacks.
Slow counting of Georgia's mail ballots could unfold after
today's contests if the races are close. Public opinion polls
show Republican incumbents have about the same level of support
as their Democratic challengers.
(Stefano Rebaudo)
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