After months of failed negotiations, Congressional leaders have finally reached a deal on a $900 billion economic relief package to boost the US economy. Although this agreement is less than half of the $2 trillion deal that Pelosi and the Trump administration were close to securing before the November election, ‘half a loaf is better than no bread’ as they say. The stimulus breakthrough failed to lift risk sentiment this morning as Asian shares dipped amid unease over a new virus strain in the United Kingdom. With the lack of progress on Brexit talks also likely to blunt appetite for risk, European markets are set to open on a soft note. Market volatility may cool over the next few days, especially if investors head for the sidelines ahead of the Christmas holiday break on Friday.