Brazil had a current account deficit of 6.635 billion in May, above the previous record high of 6.356 billion for this month posted last year, central bank data showed this week. It was the widest on record for the month of May as Brazilians spent more on international travel and foreign companies sent profits and dividends abroad. Brazil's current account deficit in April was 8.291 billion.
Brazil's current account deficit narrowed in March after an improvement in the trade balance, but it was still the second largest on record for that month, central bank data showed. The country posted a current account deficit of 6.248 billion last month, down from 7.445bn in February.
The Brazilian economy is walking with two crippled legs according to Finance Minister Guido Mantega who put the blame on the effects of the international slowdown with different rates of recovery, and the lack of credit to prop consumer spending.
Brazil’s currency Real declined from its highest level in two weeks after Moody’s Investors Service cited rising debt and weak growth in lowering its outlook on the country’s credit rating to stable from positive.
The Brazilian industrial federation on Wednesday upped its 2013 growth forecast to 1.4% from 1% and its GDP growth projection from 2% to 2.4%. But, despite the better data, the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) urged caution. The improved economic outlook is no guarantee of a strong growth rate, it said.
Brazil’s central bank chief Alexandre Tombini said on Monday policy makers will continue with their 60 billion dollars currency intervention plan, even after the Real rallied more than any other currency in the world as a consequence of the surprise announcement from the US Fed that for the moment it will not taper the bonds’ buying program to stimulate the US economy
Brazil’s economy expanded 1.5% in the second quarter of 2013 compared with the previous three month, exceeding the most optimistic market expectations, official statistics showed Friday. The farm sector fared best, growing 3.9%, followed by industry with 2% and services 0.8% according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) website.
Brazil's current account deficit more than doubled in July from a year ago, according to the latest Central bank data. The gap reached 9.08 billion dollars in July, while a year ago the deficit was 3.75bn dollars.
Brazil's twelve-month public sector primary budget surplus widened in June amid a robust surplus from state and local governments, helping bring the country's nominal deficit slightly narrower.
Brazil is cutting spending for the second time in two months to help meet its fiscal target as it forecasts slower growth this year which was also confirmed according to the latest Central Bank survey. The economic data was announced while Brazil had its eyes and ears in Rio do Janeiro to receive Pope Francis.