The outlook for Brazilian interest rates over the next two years rose to their highest in several months, a central bank survey of economists showed on Monday, even as exchange rate and inflation expectations held steady.
1 commentInflation in Brazil ended 2020 at 4,5% the stats agency IBGE revealed on Tuesday, above the central bank's target, with food prices rising, 14,1%, the most in two decades.
1 commentArgentina's economy is expected to grow 5,5% in 2021, after a contraction of about 12% last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with inflation seen ending the year at 49.8%, according to a survey of economists by the central bank released on Friday.
1 commentArgentina will suspend sales of corn for export until Feb. 28, the agriculture ministry said on Wednesday, announcing the surprise move as part of the government's effort to ensure ample domestic food supplies.
Brazil’s central bank kept its key interest rate at a record low 2.00% on Wednesday, as expected, but gave the first sign it could soon drop its pledge to keep rates lower for longer as inflation expectations converge toward target.
Producer price inflation in Brazil jumped to its highest on record in October, figures showed on Thursday, led by another month of rising food prices, which will likely stir the debate further on the wider outlook for inflation and interest rates.
Brazilian inflation in October rose to its highest level for that month since 2002, figures showed on Friday, driven by rising food and transport costs and lifting annual inflation to within sight of the central bank’s year-end target.
Brazil’s recent spike in inflation is temporary, central bank President Roberto Campos Neto said, adding, however, that policymakers are monitoring developments closely.
Brazil’s central bank kept its key interest rate at a record-low 2.00% on Wednesday, maintaining its “forward guidance” pledge to keep rates lower for longer and even the possibility of further easing, despite the recent rise in inflation and fiscal risks.
By Steve H. Hanke – In addition to facing an acute Covid-19 crisis, Argentina's deadbeat economy is collapsing, and, as usual, the inflation noose is around Argentines’ necks. Argentina’s official inflation rate for August 2020 is 40.70% per year. And, for once, Argentina’s official rate is fairly close to the rate that I calculate each day using high-frequency data and purchasing power parity theory, a methodology that has long proved its worth when compared with official statistics. Today, I measure Argentina’s annual inflation rate at 37%, but probably not for long — the noose is generally followed by the trapdoor.