The Ibovespa rose 0.5% to around 186,500 on Thursday, as investors awaited a new election poll and the final presidential debate before the first round of voting. Pollster Datafolha is set to publish its latest survey later in the day, while TV network Globo will host a debate among presidential candidates in the evening, marking the formal close of the campaign.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has confirmed his participation in the debate, whereas President Lula is expected to appear on a podcast at the same time and is unlikely to attend. Markets generally view Flávio Bolsonaro as more fiscally conservative, a stance that resonates amid elevated borrowing costs and persistent concerns over public spending.
In equities, financial stocks were mostly higher, with Itaú and Bradesco each advancing about 0.5%. Petrobras also climbed roughly 0.5%, supported by further gains in international oil prices. Among other large caps, WEG and Rede D’Or added around 1% apiece.
On the macroeconomic front, Brazil’s manufacturing sector recorded its steepest decline in operating conditions since April 2023, according to S&P Global’s PMI survey, underscoring a worsening industrial backdrop.
