* Pound extends gains as Brexit deal reached
* Dollar down as Brexit news overshadow stimulus uncertainty
* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
(Adds new comment, FX table, updates prices, changes byline, dateline; previous AMSTERDAM)
By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss
NEW YORK, Dec 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar was mostly lower on Thursday, while sterling gained after
Britain and the European Union struck a post-Brexit trade deal, boosting the market's appetite for risk
and raising hopes the United Kingdom can avoid a turbulent economic departure at the end of the year.
Britain clinched a trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, just seven days before it exits one
of the world's biggest trading blocs in its most significant global shift since the loss of empire.
"Deal is done," a Downing Street source said. "We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws,
trade and our fishing waters." The EU Commission will hold a press briefing on the trade agreement later on Thursday. In mid-morning trading, the dollar index was slightly lower at 90.256 =USD . So far this year, the
dollar has fallen 6.5%, its worst yearly performance since 2017.
Currency markets also seemed to have shrugged off President Donald Trump's criticism of the fiscal
relief package earlier approved in Congress, which could put the bill in limbo.
Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday blocked attempts to alter a
$2.3 trillion coronavirus aid and government spending package, leaving its status in doubt after Trump
demanded extensive changes to the legislation. Sterling, meanwhile, extended gains and rose as high as $1.3620. It was last up 0.7% at $1.3591, with
potential to rise to a 2-1/2 year high above $1.3625. GBP=D3
The pound also rose to a three-week high against the euro at 89.54 pence. EURGBP=D3 and was last up
0.7% at 89.72 pence.
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Currency bid prices at 9:58AM (1458 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index =USD 90.2560 90.3020 -0.04% +0.00% +90.3390 +90.1510
Euro/Dollar EUR=EBS $1.2190 $1.2187 +0.03% +8.74% +$1.2216 +$1.2178
Dollar/Yen JPY=EBS 103.6950 103.5400 +0.15% -4.59% +103.6950 +103.5000
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 126.40 126.19 +0.17% +3.64% +126.4900 +126.1900
Dollar/Swiss CHF=EBS 0.8909 0.8885 +0.29% -7.92% +0.8914 +0.8870
Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3 $1.3583 $1.3500 +0.62% +2.42% +$1.3618 +$1.3495
Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3 1.2825 1.2846 -0.15% -1.26% +1.2853 +1.2827
Aussie/Dollar AUD=D3 $0.7602 $0.7579 +0.32% +8.36% +$0.7607 +$0.7571
Euro/Swiss EURCHF= 1.0861 1.0819 +0.39% +0.08% +1.0861 +1.0824
Euro/Sterling EURGBP= 0.8971 0.9029 -0.64% +6.12% +0.9035 +0.8954
NZ NZD=D3 $0.7113 $0.7096 +0.24% +5.71% +$0.7117 +$0.7092
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway NOK=D3 8.6235 8.6435 -0.04% -1.50% +8.6445 +8.6120
Euro/Norway EURNOK= 10.5151 10.5390 -0.23% +6.85% +10.5420 +10.5014
Dollar/Sweden SEK= 8.2595 8.2725 -0.26% -11.64% +8.2934 +8.2598
Euro/Sweden EURSEK= 10.0715 10.0982 -0.26% -3.80% +10.1090 +10.0724