New Zealand Electronic Retail Card Spending YoY

New Zealand Electronic Retail Card Spending MoM

New Zealand Visitor Arrivals YoY

Australia RBA Baker Speech

The dollar index extended its gains to 102.5 on Wednesday, following a 0.5% advance in the previous session, reaching its highest level in about a month. The rally came as investors increasingly priced in a more aggressive pace of Fed rate hikes in the coming months, following hotter-than-expected inflation data and increasingly hawkish remarks from central bank officials. Adding to the hawkish tone, Fed Governor Christopher Waller warned that a 50bps rate hike in December could be warranted, while Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan backed at least two further 25bps increases. Markets currently assign an approximately 86% probability to a 25bps hike at the Fed’s December meeting, while investors are also beginning to factor in additional increases in January and potentially April. Meanwhile, oil prices recovered, trimming losses following a two-day decline. The greenback strengthened against all major currencies, posting its largest gains against the Canadian dollar and the Swiss franc.

Dollar at Nearly 1-Month High

Brazil’s services output fell 0.1% month-on-month in September 2026, following a flat reading in August, above market expectations of a 0.3% decline. Despite the contraction, activity remained 19.8% above its pre-pandemic level and just 0.4% below its record high reached in October 2025. A further contraction in transportation services (-0.5% vs -0.1%) led the decline, reflecting lower revenues from road and rail freight, air passenger transport and logistics. Information and communication services also fell 0.5% after a 0.1% decrease, dragged down by weaker revenues in IT services and film exhibition. In contrast, professional, administrative and complementary services grew 0.5% after 0.2% gain, while other services advanced 1.0%, rebounding from a 1.4% contraction. On an annual basis, services output declined 0.1%, following a 0.6% increase in August, ending a 29-month streak of consecutive growth.

Brazil Services Output Shrinks Less Than Expected

The volume of mortgage applications in the US rose by 6.2% on the week ending November 6th, the sharpest weekly increase since June, according to data compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association. The jump trimmed the sharp decline in mortgage applications since the start of September, as a pullback in oil prices and pivot to safer Treasury securities by financial markets lowered benchmark mortgage rates. Applications to refinance a mortgage, which are more sensitive to short-term changes in interest rates, rose by 4.5%. Meanwhile, applications for a mortgage to buy a new home rose by 7.5%.

US Mortgage Applications Rise Most in 5 Months

The average rate on a 30-year fixed US mortgage fell 9 basis points to 7.21% in the week ending November 6, marking a fourth consecutive weekly decline and providing some relief to the struggling housing market. Borrowing costs have dropped nearly 30 basis points from an almost two-year high of 7.5% reached early last month, although rates remain elevated enough to deter many prospective buyers. Lower financing costs helped drive a 7.5% increase in mortgage applications for home purchases, the largest weekly gain since mid-April and only the second rise since late August. Applications for refinancing also increased 4.5%, extending their advance to a third consecutive week, although the index remains near its lowest level since January 2025. Despite these improvements, a sustained decline in borrowing costs may be necessary to encourage stronger housing activity. Contract signings for previously owned homes fell to a record low in September following a sharp rise in mortgage rates.

Trending Symbols And Events

Most latest news, events and ideas for smart decisions

Latest News