the friday brief

3 things that matter

markets rebounded on rate-cut optimism – even as november ended in the red

after a choppy month, equities rallied into the holiday weekend: the s&p 500, nasdaq, and dow logged five straight days of gains, powered by renewed expectations of a december fed rate cut (~65% odds). chipmakers, retailers, and miners led the rally; names like vertiv, jpmorgan, and delta air posted standout weekly gains.

still — the month closed lower, snapping the s&p’s six-month winning streak and the nasdaq’s seven-month run, as investors reassessed how quickly ai-driven revenues will actually materialize.

the middle east entered another uneasy humanitarian pause

a short-lived halt in fighting allowed aid trucks and limited hostage movement, but no durable framework emerged. negotiators publicly signaled progress while privately acknowledging there’s no agreed path to a sustained cease-fire. global reaction split along familiar lines: europe for de-escalation, the u.s. pressing conditional pauses, and regional actors positioning for influence rather than resolution.

u.s. politics zeroed in on immigration + executive power

a leaked bipartisan senate outline proposed tighter asylum rules and expanded presidential authority to restrict border entries during surges. democrats are fractured, republicans see leverage, and the white house wants an end-of-year deal tied to broader funding. the real story: washington is trial-ballooning how far it can go in shifting immigration enforcement toward the executive branch.

1 thing to know

ai-designed antibodies are moving from theory to real-world trials

a new dataset released this week showed early success in using generative ai to design novel antibodies that bind targets traditional methods miss. several startups and large pharmas are preparing first-in-human programs for 2026, which would be the first real test of ai-designed biologics in the clinic.

the bigger story: discovery timelines could compress dramatically if the models hold up.

1 thing to try

the therabody face de-puffer wand — linked here

therabody’s cooling wand uses micro-vibration + stainless steel to de-puff, lift, and calm inflammation in under two minutes. it’s one of those rare beauty tools that feels good and actually works — especially after travel, holiday food, or staring at a screen for eight hours. pop it in the fridge for even better results.

osta brazil — kaya anti-aging face oil — linked here

a lightweight, nutrient-dense oil that blends kaya, cacay, and breu for firming, brightening, and deep hydration. the texture is silky without being greasy, making it ideal for facial massage or de-puffing tools.