FX.co ★ Ibovespa Soars on Softer-Than-Expected Inflation

The Ibovespa jumped 3% to close at 177,866 on Friday after Brazil’s inflation data came in softer than expected. Annual inflation slowed to 4.64% in June from 4.72% in May, below the market consensus of 4.80% and moving closer to the BCB’s target range of 1.5%–4.5%. The weaker inflation print drove bond yields lower and reinforced expectations that the central bank may shift to a more dovish stance. Financials led the advance, with Itaú up 4%, Bradesco gaining 4.8%, and both Itaúsa and B3 rising 4.3%. Utilities also traded higher, as Axia climbed 4.6% and Sabesp added 3.6%. In the commodities space, CSN Mineração soared 8.3% and CSN jumped 7.9% after Citi said the group stands to benefit from stronger performance in its steel and cement divisions.