The Brazilian real gained strength against the U.S. dollar today. This shift came after President Lula’s statements, weaker-than-expected employment data, and positive public accounts results. The Central Bank’s decision also boosted the Brazilian currency.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed his commitment to fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the importance of stability and pledged to achieve the best possible deficit. Lula’s tone softened regarding the Central Bank’s decision to raise interest rates to 13.25%.
Brazil’s job market showed signs of cooling. The country lost 535,547 formal jobs in December, according to the General Register of Employed and Unemployed (Caged). This marked the most significant negative balance since December 2020.
The government’s fiscal performance improved in 2024. The central government ended the year with a primary deficit of R$43 billion, an 81.7% real decrease compared to 2023. The 12-month primary result corresponded to 0.36% of GDP.
Excluding extraordinary expenses, the deficit drops to R$11.032 billion or 0.09% of GDP. This figure meets the fiscal framework requirements. Economist Tiago Sbardelotto believes meeting the primary result target in 2025 will be less challenging than in 2024.
Brazil’s Currency Strength
The U.S. Federal Reserve‘s decision to maintain interest rates also influenced the dollar’s performance. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept rates unchanged at 4.25% to 4.50%, as expected.
These factors combined to strengthen the Brazilian real against the dollar. The DXY index, which compares the dollar to a basket of six global currencies, fell 0.20% to 107.803 points by 5 PM Brasília time.
The currency market reacted positively to these developments. Investors view Brazil’s economic outlook with cautious optimism. The government’s fiscal discipline and the Central Bank’s monetary policy are key factors in this perception.
Brazil’s economic landscape continues to evolve. The interplay between domestic policies and global economic trends shapes the country’s financial markets. As always, investors should remain vigilant and adaptable in this dynamic environment.
