Brazil’s central bank this week lowered its interest rate by 50 basis points to 12.75% -- its second consecutive rate cut. Banco Central do Brasil last made a rate hike of 50 basis points in August 2022, carrying the rate to 13.75%, the highest since early 2017, and significantly up from a record low of 2% in March 2021.
Add your comment!Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) Monday announced a new digital currency for South America''s largest country, which will be called Drex and is not expected to reach account holders before late 2024, Agencia Brasil reported.
Wednesday relief for the Brazilian government, the central bank decided on a more aggresive rate-cutting reducing its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points and signaling more of the same in the months ahead due to an improving inflation outlook.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his economic team in their ongoing battle with the independent Central Bank, have anticipated they expect a cut in the benchmark interest rate, of at least 25 points, pressuring bank policymakers to lower borrowing costs given a dramatic fall in inflation.
Brazil's Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged but softened its tone regarding further efforts to slow inflation. The bank's monetary policy committee, Copom, left the key Selic rate at 13.75%, where it has stood since August after a series of consistent rate hikes aimed at slowing inflation.
Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad Wednesday said that the improved outlook by the risk rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) was due to the harmony between the branches of government, Agencia Brasil reported. In Haddad's view, National Congress and the Federal Supreme Court (STF) have an important role in the S&P's decision, but the Central Bank (BCB) needs to join the effort and start reducing the interest rates.
Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) reported Wednesday that the South American country's public sector accounts (federal government, states and municipalities, and state-owned companies) recorded a primary surplus of R$ 78.7 billion reais (US$ 15.515 billion) in the first four months of 2023, which represented a 47% YoY drop.
The Brazilian Central Bank released its weekly Focus Bulletin this Monday, which brings together an estimate of the country's economy's future performance by leading financial markets analysts.
The Brazilian Central kept interest rates unchanged for the fifth consecutive policy meeting on Wednesday, increasing concern and criticism from the government of president Lula da Silva. The bank's rate-setting committee, Copom, maintained its Selic benchmark interest rate at 13.75%. The decision, which defied intense pressure from the government of Lula da Silva, matched the expectations of analysts.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized on Tuesday the country's central bank, saying that an interest rate of 13.75% - its current level - is “irresponsible,” adding he will continue to fight the current level to stimulate the economy.