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* FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 adds 0.3%
Dec 23 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday as a
stronger pound weighed on the exporters, while midcap stocks
rose as France agreed to lift a ban on freight from Britain
imposed to contain a new coronavirus variant.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 0.2% by 0807 GMT,
underperforming its European peers that rebounded from a
sell-off on fears about the highly infectious coronavirus
variant in Britain.
Domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 .FTMC inched higher
as a deal was reached with Paris to restore critical trade links
between UK and other parts of Europe, ending a border blockade
imposed to contain the new coronavirus strain. However, a British minister said the UK and the European
Union have still not clinched a trade deal, with just eight days
left before Britain exits the EU's orbit.
In company news, British pub operator Marston's MARS.L
rose 1% after it said it will operate Brains' 156 pubs in Wales
in a deal that will save 1,300 jobs.