ZCZC
BCN-16
BRAZIL-ECONOMY-RATE-INFLATION
Brazil expected to keep key interest rate steady at 6.5 percent
BRASILIA, Aug 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Brazil’s Central Bank was expected to
maintain its key Selic interest rate steady at 6.5 percent on Wednesday,
following a bump in inflation prompted by the depreciating real and a painful
truck drivers’ strike.
The strike paralyzed much of Brazil’s economy for almost two weeks in May,
emptying stores of consumer goods, drying up fuel supplies and sending prices
briefly soaring. The event was blamed for inflation of 1.26 percent in June,
the highest rate since the start of 2016.
However, “the evolution of prices indicates that the effects of the
truckers’ strike is starting to reverse, returning to the rhythm of before,”
said Infinity Assets, an investment consultancy.
On a 12-month basis, inflation was at 4.39 percent in June, up from 2.86
percent in May. However, even this spike remained within the upper 4.5
percent end of the government’s targeted inflation range.
The market consensus is for 4.11 percent inflation in 2018.
Meanwhile, the real has stabilized at around 3.70 to the dollar after
having dipped almost to the four real mark, its lowest value in two years.
US trading tensions and expectations at the Fed for higher interest rates
has pulled money out of emerging markets like Brazil.
However, there has been some respite for Brazil investors, who are
welcoming increased momentum for center-right former Sao Paulo governor
Geraldo Alckmin in the October presidential race, said Alex Agostini, from
the Austin Rating consultancy.
“He has shown he is concerned with controling inflation and intends to
attack the debt problem. His platform is in line with what the market wants
to hear,” Agostini said.
The Central Bank made 12 consecutive rate cuts ending in March, bringing
the Selic to a historic low.
Analysts expect it to remain there until the end of the year before rising
to around eight percent next year.
BSS/AFP/HR/0940