Sterling extends gains, markets mixed as traders see out 2020

HONG KONG (AFP): The pound extended gains against the dollar Thursday (Dec 31) as traders cheered the authorisation of another vaccine and final ratification of the Brexit trade deal, while Asian markets were mixed as a painful year drew to a close.

While the world economy has been devastated by the coronavirus and lockdowns it has caused, markets have enjoyed a broadly healthy year thanks to governments and central banks stumping up mind-boggling amounts of money to prevent a depression.