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Bloomberg
Brazil’s inflation slowed more than expected in the month through mid-November, reinforcing expectations that the policy makers will leave their key interest rate unchanged this year.
The IPCA-15 index rose 0.19 percent from mid-October, after a 0.58 percent jump in the prior month, the national statistics institute reported. The reading was below the median forecast for a 0.24 percent increase fr-om 38 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Twelve-month inflation slowed to 4.39 percent.
Brazil’s central bank held its key rate unchanged at a record low at its last meeting, and said risks to inflation have been reduced as political uncertainty declined. Inflation is now expected to close the year nearly 40 basis points below the 4.5 percent midpoint of the central bank’s target range. The currency rallied ahead of the October presidential election, and has given up some gains in the past few weeks. Many analysts expect policy continuity under Roberto Campos Neto, who was nominated last week to succeed Ilan Goldfajn as central bank president.
Swap rates on the interest-rate futures contract maturing in January 2020, an indicator of expected monetary policy decisions, fell 3 basis points to 6.94 percent.
Low headline inflation reflects a relief in electricity, gasoline and foodstuff prices, but core inflation also tells a story of low inflationary pressure. All core readings came in at or below 0.3% m/m, pointing to annualised inflation well below the mid-point targets for both this year (4.5%) and the next (4.25%).