S&P 500 inches higher amid stimulus hopes, Fed commitment to keep supporting economy; European stocks close higher on Brexit trade deal progress, euro zone data; BELELX down 1%; NIS adopted 2021 business plan 
The S&P 500 rose slightly on Wednesday amid the Federal Reserve’s latest pledge to support the economy and the apparent progress in U.S. fiscal stimulus negotiations. The broader-market index closed 0.2% higher at 3,701.17, just below a record closing high. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5% to end the day at 12,658.19, notching intraday and closing all-time highs, as Apple and Microsoft each popped more than 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, falling 44.77 points, or 0.15%, to 30,154.54. 
The U.S. central bank said it will buy at least $120 billion of bonds each month “until substantial further progress has been made toward the Committee’s maximum employment and price stability goals.” 
Wednesday’s moves were kept in check by a steeper-than-expected drop in U.S. retail sales. The Commerce Department said retail sales fell by 1.1% in November. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected a decline of 0.3%. 

The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up by 0.8%, with almost all sectors bar banks in positive territory. Insurance shares led the gains, climbing 2.1%. iness activity in the euro zone is having a fairly robust December, according to the latest preliminary purchasing manager’s index (PMI) data for the region. 
Belgian pharmaceutical company Galapagos plunged more than 18% after U.S. partner Gilead opted not to seek approval for a rheumatoid arthritis drug, according to Reuters. 

BELELX15 was down 1%, as Energoprojekt lost 175, while Belgrade Airport was don w4%. The most active was Komercijana with RSD 15m in volume. NIS reported adoption of its 2021 business plan. According to the document the company will keep investing in exploration&production, in parallel with attempts to improve operating efficiency, while TPP Pancevo is expected to be operational next year. No other details were provided. 
Source: CNBC, Ilirika