Hawkish comments from the Bank of Japan put stock markets under pressure. Record-breaking Black Friday spending suggests U.S. shoppers are still splurging online - but inflation and shaky confidence tell a more complicated story. Meanwhile, OPEC+ is holding oil output steady heading into 2026.

Today’s recommended read: Hassett may be 'shadow Fed Chair' for five months, Mike Dolan

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December starts in risk-off mode