Economic data included no policy action by the Federal Reserve, U.S. GDP coming in strong for Q3, as well as gains in personal income/spending, durable goods orders, consumer confidence, and higher home prices. However, new home sales fell, in a continued stretch of low volume.

Equities were mixed to end the month, with the U.S. technology group pulling most indexes, as did Brazil. Bonds fared positively, as yields ticked down for the most part. Commodities declined, with little change in energy last week.

Economic data included continued strength in manufacturing and services PMI data, even though down from prior levels, and continued high inflation pressure readings. Housing data was weak, seen in lower housing starts and readings of homebuilder sentiment. Sentiment was little changed, although it continued to hover at multi-decade trough levels.

Equities were mixed around the world, with gains in U.S. small cap as a bright spot, offset by declines in some AI names and foreign equities. Bonds fared positively as interest rates continued to pull back from recent highs. Commodities were mixed, with higher energy along with Middle East tensions continuing.