US stock futures moved higher on Friday as selling pressure on Nvidia shares eased following the resignation of CEO Jensen Huang amid an ongoing scandal. Futures tied to the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 gained between 0.2% and 0.6%. In after-hours trading, Nvidia shares advanced more than 1%, rebounding from Thursday’s losses as investors evaluated the potential leadership transition at the chipmaker, with CFO Colette Kress assuming the role of interim CEO. Wall Street’s major indexes ended lower on Thursday, with the Dow falling 0.36%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined 0.35% and 0.39%, respectively. Investors are now looking ahead to October’s PPI report for further indications of inflationary pressures. A stronger-than-expected consumer inflation reading, coupled with hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials, has reinforced expectations that interest rates could be raised more aggressively.

Crude oil prices hovered near $89 per barrel on Friday after rising in the previous session, as President Donald Trump stated that the US no longer needs a deal with Iran, dampening hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the war. Trump also directed Vice President JD Vance to prioritize domestic matters over negotiations with Tehran. Meanwhile, Iran maintained its position that Washington must lift its naval blockade and sanctions against the country before any direct peace talks can take place. Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, further emphasized that Tehran has no intention of removing its enriched nuclear materials from the country. Despite these developments, oil prices remain on track for a second consecutive weekly decline as Middle Eastern crude exports continue to recover. Hopes for a faster resolution to the conflict have also been supported by a Democratic victory in the US midterm elections.

Peru’s Central Reserve Bank (BCRP) raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 4.50% in November 2026, marking its first hike in nearly four years, in line with expectations. The move reflected supply shocks, higher inflation expectations and strong domestic demand. Annual inflation accelerated to 5.3% in October from 4.5% in September, mainly due to higher food and energy prices. Inflation excluding food and energy rose to 4.6% from 4.5%, while the measure excluding food, energy and transportation stood at 2.0%, within the 1%-3% target range. Twelve-month inflation expectations remained at 3.1%, above the target ceiling. The BCRP expects inflation to return to target and converge toward 2% as supply shocks fade, but warned that El Niño and Middle East tensions could prolong price pressures. Activity indicators remained robust in October, while business expectations slowed but stayed optimistic. The bank said the hike does not necessarily mark a tightening cycle.

New Zealand’s BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index eased to 54.9 in October 2026 from 56.3 in September, marking a 16-month streak of expansion. Respondents cited fuel prices, the cost of living, and election uncertainty as concerns, though many pointed to the Christmas build-up and steady orders as positive factors. Employment was the weakest sub-index at 51.9, though still expanding, while Deliveries (61.4) and Finished Stocks (58.0) were the strongest. New Orders (54.3) and Production (53.9) eased from the previous month but remained comfortably in expansion. The Christmas build-up and steady infrastructure work suggest manufacturers are ending the year on a solid footing, even as input prices and the cost of living continue to weigh on the sector.

The Brazilian real weakened to over 5.65 per USD in November, extending its lowest since since May of last year, as the government’s fiscal adjustment bill disappointed markets. Markets had previously welcomed the news as an initial step toward a more robust fiscal agenda, but now view the bill as a timid adjustment. The measures are understood not to focus on structural adjustments to reverse the growing public debt trajectory, but rather on opening more room for spending freezes to reach the 0.5% of GDP surplus target for 2027. The government has faced market pressure to announce fiscal adjustments after Brazilian assets plunged following President Lula’s reelection. Meanwhile, annual inflation rose to 4.63% in October from 4.58% in September, below market expectations of 4.74% but marking a four-month high and remaining above the BCB’s 4.5% target ceiling. With inflation still above target, the central bank is expected to remain cautious about resuming its Selic easing cycle.

Existing home sales in the US fell 5.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.75 million units in October 2026, the lowest level since August 2010 and below market expectations of 3.85 million. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun attributed the weakness to elevated mortgage rates, which have reached their highest levels since 2000, excluding one month in 2023. He noted that homeowners remain financially secure due to accumulated housing wealth, while lower mortgage rates could unlock significant pent-up demand. Sales were unchanged in the Northeast at 470,000 units, while the Midwest declined 3.2% to 900,000, the South fell 6.5% to 1.73 million and the West dropped 9.7% to 650,000. Meanwhile, housing inventory rose 1.3% from September and 4.6% year over year to 1.59 million homes, equivalent to 5.1 months of supply, up from 4.7 months in September. The median home price increased 0.4% from a year earlier to $416,700.