Brazil

• Thursday, June 7th 2018 - 08:53 UTC

  With Lula out of the presidential race, far-right candidate Bolsonaro is the clear frontrunner

  

  Far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro is the clear frontrunner in Brazil’s election in October with up to 25% of voter support, followed by center-left populist Ciro Gomes with 12%, a new poll revealed on Tuesday.

• Wednesday, June 6th 2018 - 08:38 UTC

  Brazil industrial production returned to positive growth during April

  

  Brazilian industrial production increased 0.8% in April, marking a return to positive growth after dropping by 0.1% in March, the government announced on Tuesday. According to the report by Brazil's statistics bureau, IBGE, the industrial sector has grown 4.5% so far in 2018.

• Wednesday, June 6th 2018 - 08:32 UTC

  Brazil declared by OIE free of FMD with vaccination

  

  The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has officially declared Brazil as a country free from Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) with vaccination. The decision for this occurred late May, in Paris. The decision took place after approval last year from the OIE’s scientific committee, which is constituted by 181 member states.

• Wednesday, June 6th 2018 - 08:27 UTC

  Brazil's central bank survey lowers 2018 growth forecast to 2.18%

  

  Brazil's financial market has downgraded its 2018 economic growth forecast from 2.37% to 2.18%, according to a Focus poll released on Monday by the Central Bank. Four weeks ago, a similar survey of the country's leading financial institutions showed GDP was expected to expand 2.7%.

• Wednesday, June 6th 2018 - 08:19 UTC

  Brazil's trade surplus in May reached US$ 5.981 billion

  

  Brazil's trade balance recorded a US$ 5.981 billion surplus in May, resulting from US$ 19.224 billion in exports and US$ 13.260 billion in imports, said the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC).

• Tuesday, June 5th 2018 - 07:50 UTC

  Walmart leaving Brazil after 22 years: 80% takeover by Advent

  

  Walmart gave no price for the transaction, in which Advent takes an 80% stake in Walmart Brazil and leaves Walmart with 20%. But the Arkansas-based mega retailer said it would take a US$ 4.5 billion charge on the deal in the second quarter, much of that related to cumulative foreign exchange losses.

• Monday, June 4th 2018 - 08:13 UTC

  Brazilian manufacturing activity slows down for second month in May

  

  The growth of manufacturing activity in Brazil slowed for a second straight month in May, a private survey showed on Friday, a sign that a weaker currency and political uncertainty are taking a toll on Latin America's largest economy.

• Monday, June 4th 2018 - 07:06 UTC

  Truckers strike is estimated to have cost Brazilian agriculture some US$ 1.77 billion

  

  The 10-day-long Brazilian striking truckers protests are winding down and companies from meatpackers to soy crushers are resuming operations. Some problems persist in some sectors and will need time to recover. Primary estimates of losses for farmers' sector could reach US$ 1.77bn

• Thursday, May 31st 2018 - 08:27 UTC

  Debilitated Brazilian government challenged with an oil-workers 72-hour strike

  

  Brazilian oil workers began a 72-hour strike on Wednesday in a new blow to President Michel Temer following a nationwide trucker protest that has strangled Latin America's largest economy for over a week. The strike affecting several rigs, refineries, plants and ports is the latest challenge for state-led oil firm Petrobras, whose shares have tumbled nearly 30% in two weeks over fears that political interference would unwind more investor-focused policies.

• Thursday, May 31st 2018 - 07:40 UTC

  Deal to compensate one of the world's most indebted oil company

  

  Petrobras and Brazil’s government are “very close” to resolving a long-running dispute over an oil-rich offshore area, a deputy minister said, dismissing concerns a fuel pricing crisis had emerged as an obstacle in talks.