Nasdaq futures turn flat while S&P 500 futures are up 0.2% now
After the pullback yesterday, the risk mood is seeing more calm in general so far today as investors are also still holding out hope for US stimulus to pull through.

Comments by Irish foreign minister, Simon Coveney
– But the fact there were no signs of compromise last night is a problem
– The gap is still very wide
– I do believe Boris Johnson wants a deal
More Brexit ramblings on the day. This doesn’t really add much to the current picture. The pound continues to keep weaker

Latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association for the week ending 4 December 2020
– -0.6%
The drop last week largely stems from a decline in purchase activity, despite the long-term mortgage rate falling by another 2 bps to a record survey low.

Comments by Russian energy minister, Alexander Novak

The ECB has preempted the market with more easing this month, but how much will they deliver and what can we expect to see?
The quick take on this is that don’t expect any change to key rates by the ECB tomorrow. They have made that rather clear, and that the tools that they are most

Further comments by Irish foreign minister, Simon Coveney
– Don’t get your hopes too high on a Brexit deal
– A deal can happen with the right approach from both sides
As for the headline comment, that would also depend on the UK and Boris Johnson and it would be a serious blow to the incumbent government’s credibility

Polish deputy premier, Jarosław Gowin, makes mention on the matter
The budget compromise now awaits the approval of all other EU members, which should take place at the upcoming summit on Thursday and Friday. That is at least one issue struck off the list for the week and positive news for Europe in general.

A few token remarks by Barnier
– We need a school of patience
Not much details being given, but the European Commission is also out with a comment saying that they do not exclude that Brexit talks can continue after the transition period ends. Good stuff, eh? You can never trust a Brexit „deadline“.

Latest data released by NFIB – 8 December 2020
The election outcome was also seen as a factor, with NFIB noting that „there was clearly a disappointment for some small business owners“.

The Daily Telegraph’s political editor, Gordon Rayner, updates on the situation
Still no decision on when Boris Johnson will go to Brussels. Tomorrow is still possible, UK sources are saying, but EU sources saying there hasn’t been a discussion yet with No10 over which day it will be.
Just be reminded that the EU has now put