Ibovespa Slips Amid Weak Economic Data

The Ibovespa edged down 0.2% to close at 206,506 on Wednesday in a volatile session amid weak economic data and an unfavorable external backdrop. Services activity contracted 0.1% in August, missing expectations for a 0.5% increase. Brazil’s Industrial Business Confidence Index rose 1.3 points to 46.2 in October but remained below the 50-point threshold, marking 22 consecutive months of pessimism. Oil prices extended their gains, stoking concerns over energy-driven inflation, while hotter-than-expected US CPI data pressured lenders amid increasing bets of a the Federal Reserve’s rate hike. Major banks declined, with Itaú down 1.4% and Bradesco losing 2.5%. Other financial stocks also fell, with B3 shedding 1.9% and Itaúsa losing 1.6%. Miners extended their losses, with Vale down 0.7% as Chinese iron ore prices continued to decline. In contrast, Petrobras rose 2.2% as oil prices resumed their climb. Investors awaited a new presidential runoff poll after the market close.