European stocks struggle as traders eye historic impeachment bid

European equities struggled and the dollar traded mixed Wednesday, with traders on edge ahead of the likely historic second impeachment of US President Donald Trump, dealers said.

Shares crept higher in Asia earlier with hopes for another vast US virus relief package largely offset by the political upheaval in Washington.

“The shift is being fuelled by more violent footage of the attack on Capitol Hill last week – with matters made worse by Trump’s lack of remorse.”

In London, the British pound rallied as high as $1.3685, close to a 2.5-year peak, after Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey distanced himself from the idea of negative interest rates – but he still warned Britain faced its “darkest hour” due to the virus fallout.

Source: News24