European stocks rise for second straight day

European stocks rose on Wednesday, to continue rebounding from the lowest level in a month and a half, while on track for the second straight daily gain, amid hopes about a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU, and after France reopened its borders with the UK.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.4% as of 11:37 GMT, after it closed higher by 1.2% yesterday, in its first gain in 3 days and rebounded from the lowest since November 10 at 381.63 points.

The pan European index opened higher today, extending its gains for the second straight day, with most of the major European markets and sectors seeing green.

The automotive sector saw the largest gains in Europe today, rising nearly 2%, after most of the sectors' shares rose.

The chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Tuesday that are making a final push for a Brexit trade deal, but differences on fishing access and quotas remain difficult to bridge.

The British political editor Robert Piston of ITV said that a trade agreement between the Britain and the European Union is possible on Wednesday.

France reopened its borders with the UK on Wednesday, provided travelers have a certified negative Covid-19 test.

France had imposed a ban on travelers and shipping from Britain, due to concerns about the new strain of the coronavirus.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.3%, after the index closed lower by 0.2% yesterday at Wall Street, and posted its third straight daily loss on profit-taking from its record high of 3,726.70 points.

Back to Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.5%, France's CAC 40 rose 0.4%, Germany's DAX rose over 0.6%, while the UK's FTSE 100 fell 0.2%.