The dollar opened this Tuesday's session (20) in decline, with a drop of 0.43% close to 9 am, quoted at R$ 5.0262. Ibovespa trading, the main index on the Brazilian stock exchange, begins at 10am.
With no major highlights on the Brazilian economic agenda, attention turns to international news, which features new American data and concerns about the fiscal situation in Europe, amid the protests that have taken over the region. The Brazilian electoral framework is also on the radar.
Abroad, the wave of protests seen in Europe once again raises concerns. The movement, started by students in mid-September with demands about the educational system, gained support from unions and new demands, bringing together more than half a million people in France. Smaller protests also took place in Belgium, Italy and Portugal.
The day before, interest rates on French public bonds maturing in 10 years reached 4.95%, one of the worst marks of the year.
On the economic agenda, new employment data from the United States stands out. The expectation is that the ADP jobs report will reinforce the prospect that the Federal Reserve (Fed, the country's central bank) may raise interest rates at this month's meeting. Data on construction and sales of American homes will also be monitored.
Here, the first electoral debate between Lula and Flávio remains on the radar, following news that the campaigns would be recalibrating routes to try to win over undecided voters.
Accumulation and variations in the dollar and Ibovespa show the recent performance of the assets.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), candidates for the Presidency of the Republic, participated on Sunday night (18) in the first debate of the second round of the 2026 elections.
It was the first direct confrontation between the two candidates in a debate in this election.
Over three blocks, Lula and Flávio discussed public security, economy, health, productivity, relations with the United States and reducing the age of criminal responsibility. They also exchanged accusations and provocations about corruption and investigations.
In the first direct confrontation, Lula questioned Flávio Bolsonaro about a vote given by the then state deputy, in 2009, against the expansion of maternity leave for civil servants.
Flávio stated that he has “absolutely nothing against women”, but did not explain his vote.
Afterwards, Flávio questioned Lula about the businesswoman and lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger and about investigations involving Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, the president's son.
Roberta and Fábio Luís are being investigated in three inquiries at the Federal Supreme Court (STF) that investigate suspicions of influence peddling in federal bodies to benefit businesspeople. Roberta denies irregularities and claims that her relationship with Lulinha is one of friendship.
In a statement released on Saturday (17), the Palácio do Planalto stated that Lula never had an interaction with Roberta, never received demands from her and is not aware of the alleged negotiations mentioned by the businesswoman. He also said that there is no federal government contract with Roberta.
The conflict then turned to accusations of corruption. Flávio cited the scheme of undue discounts on INSS benefits and accused the Lula government of not protecting retirees.
Lula stated that the scheme was discovered and combated in his government. The Federal Police indicted 48 people in the first investigation into the fraud. The president also demanded explanations from Flávio about the request for R$134 million made to former banker Daniel Vorcaro to finance the film “Dark Horse”, about former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The Federal Police are investigating suspicions of money laundering, currency evasion and corruption in the financing of the film.
Flávio is investigated in the investigation. On Friday (16), the PF asked Minister André Mendonça, from the STF, for another 90 days for the investigation.
In an interview with TV Globo also on Friday, Flávio stated that the R$134 million contract “was not fulfilled”. The senator denies irregularities.
Afterwards, Flávio Bolsonaro returned to the economy, criticized interest rates and accused the president of using Bolsa Família for electoral purposes.
Lula, in turn, resumed public security and questioned his opponent about positions related to weapons policy and cases of violence in Rio de Janeiro.
Lula also questioned Flávio about the end of the 6x1 scale and asked if his opponent intended to propose changes to the measure. Flávio said no. The PL candidate voted in favor of ending the 6x1 scale in the Senate, after having positioned himself against the proposal.
In the final stretch of the confrontation, Lula questioned Flávio about his closeness to the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, and asked if he intended to adopt the Argentine economic model in Brazil. Flávio did not respond directly and stated that right-wing governments need to “fix” problems left by left-wing governments.
Flávio also stated that he intends to make a “treasure” of corruption in the Lula government.
In Asia, Chinese stocks closed mixed after Beijing kept the country's interest rates unchanged. More solid data from the Chinese economy also reduced expectations of new stimulus from the government.
The SSEC, Shanghai Index, rose 0.1%, while the CSI300, which brings together large Chinese companies, fell 0.5%. In Japan, the Nikkei fell 1.3%, while the Kospi, from South Korea, depreciated 3.73%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1.32%.
