TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s core consumer prices dropped in November at their fastest pace in a decade as the coronavirus pandemic hit demand, stoking fears of a return to deflation and wiping out the benefits former premier Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies.

BERLIN, Dec 17 (Reuters) - European car registrations dropped in November, declining for the second month in row, industry data showed on Thursday, as measures to restrict a second coronavirus wave hit sales in the continent’s largest markets.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar languished near fresh 2-1/2-year lows against its major rivals on Thursday as progress toward agreeing a U.S. stimulus package and a Brexit deal boosted risk appetite at the expense of the safest assets.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices hit a nine-month high early on Thursday after U.S. government data showed that crude stockpiles fell last week and on optimism over a coronavirus relief package in the United States.

TOKYO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Japanese shares were little changed in choppy trade on Thursday as concerns about rising domestic coronavirus cases offset optimism over further U.S. economic stimulus and a pledge of support from the Federal Reserve.

SINGAPORE/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian stocks perched near record heights, the dollar languished at two-year lows and oil prices stood at their strongest since March on Thursday, as monetary support and the hope of fiscal stimulus in the United States put traders in a festive mood.