European Stocks Recover From Rout, Mixed Day For Wall Street

European stock markets rebounded Tuesday from the sharp coronavirus-related falls seen a day earlier, while Wall Street equities were mixed following lackluster US data.

European markets had a good day despite grinding talks over Brexit and lingering unease over the latest coronavirus trends.

The EU has rejected the latest UK offer on fishing but is ready to pursue a post-Brexit trade deal even beyond the end of the year, diplomats said.

Meanwhile, the European Commission recommended that EU member states lift the blanket bans some have imposed on travel from Britain in response to a new strain of Covid-19.

The new variant of the virus, which also has been detected in small numbers elsewhere, appears to spread more easily than other types but experts say there is no evidence it is more lethal or resistant to vaccines.

After dropping around two percent or more, bourses in London, Paris and Frankfurt all advanced, with analysts pointing to positive sentiment after the US Congress approved a new $900 billion relief package after months of negotiations.

Back in the US, the Nasdaq closed at a fresh record but the Dow and S&P 500 finished lower amid more worrisome economic data.

"Worry over the impacts of the virus and the subsequent new restrictions are tamping down some of the early enthusiasm that came amid passage of a long-awaited fiscal relief and government spending package," Schwab analysts said.

Data showed consumer confidence falling for a second straight month, while existing home sales fell for the first time in six months, more signs of the drag from the rising coronavirus cases.

"Consumers' assessment of current conditions deteriorated sharply in December, as the resurgence of COVID-19 remains a drag on confidence," The Conference Board's Lynn Franco said in a statement on the consumer data.

David Kelly at JPMorgan Asset Management said the US stimulus bill "will help some workers and businesses get through the winter, but it will do little to accelerate the arrival of an economic recovery."

Among individual companies, Apple jumped 2.9 percent amid reports the tech company aims to launch its autonomous car in 2024.

Walmart dropped 1.2 percent after the US Justice Department sued the retail giant over its role in the opioid crisis, alleging the giant retailer wrongly filled prescriptions and worsened a public health disaster.

Walmart said the charges were baseless and an effort by authorities to shift blame away from their role in the debacle.

Alaska Air Group gained 0.3 percent as it sealed a deal to add 23 more Boeing 737 MAX planes to its order, saying the transaction would boost move it toward a single fleet that would be more efficient and cost-effective. Boeing dropped 0.2 percent.