Wednesday's News Links

[Reuters] Stocks hit record highs on vaccine, stimulus, Brexit deal hopes

[Yahoo/Bloomberg] Pound, Euro Rise to Multi-Year Highs on Brexit Hope, Weak Dollar

[CNBC] U.S. retail sales decrease more than expected in November

[CNBC] McConnell and Schumer say they hope to strike a Covid aid, funding deal ‘soon’ after leaders meet

[Reuters] U.S. Congressional leaders report progress in talks for fresh COVID-19 aid

[Reuters] Fed faces tricky act balancing impact of vaccines against economic pain

[Reuters] New coronavirus strain spreading in UK has key mutations, scientists say

[Yahoo/Bloomberg] Fishing Rights Are Now Major Last Hurdle, EU Says: Brexit Update

[Yahoo/Bloomberg] Australia to Challenge China at the WTO as Tensions Escalate

[Reuters] Euro zone economy exceeded expectations in Dec but still shrank -PMI

[Reuters] Massive first day IPO gains evoke 'bubble' risk in Asian capital markets

[Bloomberg] Fed Mulls Shift in Bond Buying Program: FOMC Decision-Day Guide

[Bloomberg] Alarm Bells for Both Bulls and Bears Signal Choppy U.S. Year-End

[Bloomberg] Chinese Clothing Giant Defaults on Second Domestic Yuan Bond

[NYT] Fed Closes Out Wild Year as All Eyes Focus on Bond-Buying Program

[WSJ] December Fed Meeting to Focus on Asset Purchases

[FT] Spectre of inflation flare-up threatens historic bond rally