The Brazilian economy expanded at its fastest pace in six months in July, even as the central bank bets on slower growth to curb the fastest inflation in six years.
Brazilian Central bank President Alexandre Tombini said in an interview with the local Valor Economico newspaper that Europe's expected difficulty in implementing a rescue package and slowing global growth are likely to justify the bank's recent surprise cut to interest rates.
Brazil’s inflation accelerated for the 12th straight month in August to its fastest annual rate since 2005. Consumer prices, as measured by the IPCA index, rose 0.37% in August from the previous month, the national statistics agency reported on Tuesday. Prices rose 7.23% from a year ago, the highest since June 2005.
Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday unexpectedly cut interest rates as the risk of recession in Europe and the US shifted policy makers’ focus away from containing the fastest inflation in six years.
Brazil’s budget primary surplus widened in July to a record for the month pushing the year-to-date total to almost 80% of the government’s 2011 target, according to the Central bank.
Brazil's economic activity fell in June for the first time since 2008. The central bank's IBC-Br economic activity index fell 0.26% in June from May the first sequential drop since December 2008, when the global financial crisis plunged major economies into recession.
Economic activity in Brazil expanded 0.17% in May over the previous month, the slowest pace this year, according to the Central Bank’s seasonally adjusted index. As direct reference growth in April was 0.44%. However the May figure is 4.25% over a year ago.
Brazil's central bank increased late Wednesday its benchmark interest rate for the fourth straight meeting after consumer prices exceeded the upper limit of its target range for the first time since 2005.
The two leading candidates for the position of IMF Managing director will be visiting Brazil next week. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde plans to travel to Brasilia on Monday to seek support for her candidacy, the French embassy said Friday.
Brazil’s Finance Minister Guido Mantega said dollar inflows into the country have returned to a “reasonable” level, after the government took steps to stem a flood of foreign money.