Brazil's industrial output flat in November amid high interest rates

SAO PAULO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Industrial production in Brazil remained unchanged in November from October, government statistics agency IBGE said on Thursday, amid signs that high interest rates are slowing activity in Latin America's largest economy.

• The median estimate in a Reuters poll projected an increase of 0.2%.

• Production in November fell 1.2% from a year earlier, while markets expected a 0.1% drop.

• Output was down in two of the four main categories surveyed in November, according to IBGE.

• The main negative influence came from extractive industries, which declined 2.6% in the month, the agency added.

• High borrowing costs continue to weigh on the sector, as the central bank maintains interest rates near a two‑decade high of 15% in a bid to tame persistent inflation.