TALKING POINTS – BRAZIL CENTRAL BANK MEETING MINUTES, BRL, IBOVESPA
- BRL and Ibovespa trade nervously as US-China trade war escalates
- Brazilian financial markets eye local central bank meeting minutes
- Pension reform continues its struggle in Congress – report in May?
See our free guide to learn how to use economic news in your trading strategy !
The Brazilian Real and benchmark equity index had a rude awakening at the start of this week when news crossed the wires that US-China trade relations had further decayed following last week’s fallout. Global equity markets and risk-oriented FX assets – like the Australian and New Zealand Dollars – also took a pounding as Beijing and Washington gear up for economic war.
Ibovespa Futures Break Below Major Support
Ibovespa futures gapped lower at the start of Monday’s trading session as an unfavorable global backdrop weighs on the fragile economy. The prospect of slower growth out of China will likely pressure Brazil’s massive iron industry as demand out of Asia weakens. Brazilian soybean farmers may get a boon from souring US-China trade relations but this marginal benefit will likely be outweighed by the costs from the conflict.
Adding to the risk docket is the upcoming release of the Brazilian central bank’s meeting minutes. The publication will likely contain a detailed outlook of what was seen in last week’s policy meeting. Growth in the economy continues to show weakness, though symmetric inflationary pressure has allowed the monetary authority to remain neutral.
However, this could be threatened if economic activity is further slowed by the trade war. President Jair Bolsonaro’s pension reform continues to drive local financial markets, though external factors may now play a greater role. The lower house special commission will have a few more hearings and may release a report on the pension reforms by the end of the month at the earliest.
If the global outlook continues to sour as the US and China continue to wage economic war, USD/BRL may retest the 7-month high at around 4.0000. Amid greater risk aversion, investors may shift their trading strategy from chasing yields to preserving capital. The US Dollar’s unparalleled liquidity may serve as a lightning rod for investors that are seeking an island in a sea of uncertainty.
USD/BRL Aiming to Re-Test October High?
FX TRADING RESOURCES
- Join a free Q&A webinar and have your trading questions answered
- Just getting started? See our beginners’ guide for FX traders
- Having trouble with your strategy? Here’s the #1 mistake that traders make
--- Written by Dimitri Zabelin, Jr Currency Analyst for DailyFX.com
To contact Dimitri, use the comments section below or @ZabelinDimitri on Twitter
