European shares slip on caution around vaccine trials, stimulus

European shares headed lower on Wednesday after tumbling in the previous session over a halt in COVID-19 vaccine trials and uncertainty over more U.S. stimulus, with investors also staying away from big bets ahead of talks on a Brexit trade deal. The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.2% by 0708 GMT, with travel and leisure and insurance stocks leading early declines. The European Union would prefer to have a deal, but it is ready in case no agreement can be reached, the Commissioner for the EU's single market said.