Europe midday: Stocks continue to edge up

Stocks in Europe are holding higher come midday, helped by the record highs set overnight by stocks on Wall Street.

Also helping investor sentiment was news that US Democrats were open to compromise on the size of a fourth fiscal stimulus package.

It was also disclosed on Tuesday evening that it had been the US President which had opted to postpone the anticipated progress review on the US-China trade deal that had been scheduled for the week before.

"European markets have seen a somewhat mixed start, with strained US-China relations continuing to provide a grey cloud to affairs," said IG senior market analyst Josh Mahony.

"Nevertheless, the US outlook took a turn for the better overnight, with Nancy Pelosi indicating her potential willingness to compromise in a bid to push through the next coronavirus stimulus package."

Against that backdrop, as of 1301 BST the pan-European Stoxx 600 was adding 0.35% to 368.47, alongside a 0.39% gain for the German Dax to 12,931.04.

Milan's FTSE Mibtel was also moving higher, adding 0.59% to 19,962.24.

There was little by the way of fresh euro area economic data for markets to chew on in the middle of the week.

Nonetheless, some investors were closely watching the headlines out of European capitals, with European leaders due to meet via video conference to discuss recent events in Belarus and how to respond to the recent violent crackdown on protesters while maintaining strict neutrality on Belarusia's internal politics.