News - Brazil Mid-Month Inflation Slowed More Than Expected

July 24 (Bloomberg) - Brazilian inflation slowed more than expected in the month through mid-July, easing concern that the central bank may be forced to raise interest rates next year.

Consumer price increases, as measured by the government’s benchmark IPCA-15, eased to 0.22 percent from a 0.37 percent increase a month earlier, the national statistic agency said today. Economists expected the index to rise 0.37 percent, according the median of 31 forecasts in a Bloomberg survey.

The central bank, after cutting its benchmark rate for a fifth straight time this week, signaled it’s ready to pause on signs of economic recovery. Traders, on the other hand, are betting policy makers may have to raise rates next year to 11.4 percent by October, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

News - Silva: Brazil to spend whatever needed for WCup

“Obviously, we don’t want to host a World Cup spending more than what we have,” Silva said on Thursday. “What we want is … to spend whatever is necessary to facilitate the lives of people before, during and after the World Cup.”

The cost of the 2014 tournament could reach more than $40 billion in infrastructure alone, according to Globo’s G1 Web site on Wednesday.

Silva said it will need investments from the private sector, which will have a chance to “make money” from the World Cup.

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

Article - Zell’s Equity International Seeks to Boost Brazil Investments

July 23 (Bloomberg) - Sam Zell’s Equity International is seeking new real estate-related investments in Brazil, its biggest market, after selling assets in Mexico and Chile.

“Right now some of the most interesting investments in the world are in Brazil,” Chief Strategic Officer Thomas McDonald said today in an interview from Chicago. “We see ourselves making investments in a couple more companies.”

Falling interest rates, political stability and a “solid” currency make Brazil stand out among large emerging markets, McDonald said. His firm’s five investments in the country were worth $718 million as of July 6, or about 56 percent of its global portfolio.

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

Article - Brazil needs $40B for WCup infrastructure

SAO PAULO (AP) - Cities in Brazil could spend more than $40 billion on infrastructure alone for the 2014 World Cup, according to a report Wednesday.

The 12 cities hosting matches have projected spending a total of $41.7 billion, Globo’s G1 Web site said.

The total includes costs for new stadiums and improvements in transportation, public safety, health systems and several other areas, G1 said after analyzing the projects of each city. The money for the projects is expected to come from both the public and private sectors.

Nearly half of the total investments are expected to take place in Sao Paulo, South America’s biggest city, which plans to spend $19.1 billion.

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds

News - Brazil cuts key rate, hints at end of easing cycle

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) - Brazil’s central bank cut its key interest rate late Wednesday by 50 basis points to 8.75%, a decision that had been widely anticipated by market analysts. It was the fifth consecutive rate cut this year, as policymakers aimed to cushion the region’s largest economy from the impact of the global financial crisis. Also in an expected move, policymakers indicated that the end of its rate-easing campaign is coming to a close, as the Selic level is in line with a benign inflation environment. The Selic rate started the year at 13.75% and is now at a new, historic low.

Source: MarketWatch

If you enjoy our post, feel free to subscribes to our rss feeds