Angela Merkel: Brexit and European Indices

angela merkel: Germany's DAX rose by 71 points to 11,730, up 0.6%. Facebook Twitter 9.48am EDT 09 48Fiona Cincotta at City Index agrees that no-deal Brexit fears are easing today, pushing the pound up a bit . She writes Sterling is advancing across the board as the UK opposition leaders met today to plot to prevent a no deal Brexit, according to The Independent. Whilst Bojo is sticking to his do or die Brexit mantra, he has also expressed a little more optimism that a new deal can still be achieved between the EU and the UK. This comes following last week's visits to Germany and France where Angela Merkel and French President Macron both said they are willing to listen to alternatives the Irish backstop. The FTSE 100 closed 5 points lower at 7,089, while other European indices posted gains. Pound traders are interpreting recent developments as a slight easing back from the brink of a no deal Brexit, and so it is advancing. It's billed as a merger of equals', but the deal has pushed Altria up almost 10% at the open while Philip Morris stock is down about 3%. Philip Morris says There can be no assurance that any agreement or transaction will result from these discussions. Facebook Twitter 9.45am EDT 09 45Merger news Philip Morris has announced it is talking to fellow tobacco firm Altria over a possible takeover. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.