Ibovespa Rises as Labor Market Shows Signs of Cooling

The Ibovespa gained 0.5% to close at 183,828 on Tuesday, as signs of gradual cooling in the labor market supported credit-sensitive sectors. Brazil created 165,827 formal jobs in August, above forecasts of 95,700 and up from 58,568 in July, marking the highest result since March. Unemployment stood at 5.3% in the rolling quarter ended in August, matching expectations. Despite the strong payrolls figure, the data remains consistent with a scenario of gradual labor-market cooling, in line with expectations for GDP to be near flat in 3Q26. Yields moved lower as the data did not dent expectations for a continuation of the Selic easing cycle. Financials rose, with BB up 2.6% and Itaú gaining 1.4%. Utilities also advanced, with Axia up 0.7%. Petrobras rose 0.8% despite lower oil prices. Vale shed 2.2% as iron ore prices fell, while CSN Mineração lost 5.7% after announcing a temporary reduction in low-grade iron ore production. Steelmakers fell, CSN sank 9.8%.