The dollar closed higher and the stock market closed lower this Thursday (5), in a session marked by increased risk aversion in international markets. The pressure came mainly from Wall Street, with heavy losses in stocks linked to artificial intelligence.
In the domestic scenario, investors followed the maintenance of the Selic rate at 13.75% per year and discussions about the Lula government's economic policy. The US currency ended close to R$5.49, and the main Brazilian stock market index fell to around 166.2 thousand points.
Numbers of the day:
Cash dollar: R$5.4876 (+0.67%);
Ibovespa: 166,191.45 points (-0.82%);
Financial volume of the exchange: R$31.16 billion
DXY index (dollar against strong currencies): 101.560 (+0.09%);
Exchange
The commercial dollar ended the session with an appreciation of 0.67%, quoted at R$5.488. The movement followed the deterioration of the external scenario, especially in the United States stock market.
Shares of companies linked to artificial intelligence and the technology sector recorded significant losses, amid concerns about investments in the segment and possible regulatory changes after the midterm elections.
International pressure led investors to reduce positions in risky assets, including currencies from emerging countries, and seek protection in the dollar. The DXY index, which measures the performance of the US currency in relation to a basket of six currencies, rose 0.09%, to 101,560 points.
In Brazil, the exchange rate also followed discussions on the economic agenda. Lula met with ministers, former ministers and advisors to debate the direction of the economy. After the meeting, the Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, stated that the government intends to deepen the analysis of economic measures, without announcing specific actions.
Brazilian industrial production was also on the radar. The sector recorded a decline of 0.8% in September compared to August. In the annual comparison, production fell 2.5%.
Stock market loses strength
The Ibovespa closed down 0.82%, at 166,191.45 points, after starting the session on a high and approaching 169 thousand points. The index followed the negative movement of American stock markets, with pressure mainly on technology companies, semiconductors and data centers.
In addition to the international scenario, investors reflected on the corporate results released throughout the day and the Central Bank's decision to maintain the Selic rate at 13.75% per year. Lula's meeting with members of the economic team also remained on the market's radar.
The Brazilian index reached a maximum of 168,994.33 points and reached a minimum of 166,249.09 points. The financial volume totaled R$31.16 billion.
Wall Street falling
The main US stock indices ended the session with significant losses:
Nasdaq (technology companies): 24,315.00 points (-5.52%);
S&P 500 (500 largest companies): 7,353.73 points (-4.36%);
Dow Jones: 51,523.06 points (-3.44%).
The losses were concentrated, above all, in technology and artificial intelligence companies. The movement occurred after the previous session, when markets had reacted positively to the results of the midterm elections in the United States.
Economic policy
In the domestic scenario, the maintenance of the Selic rate at 13.75% per year and discussions about fiscal policy influenced negotiations. The Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) interrupted a sequence of five cuts in the basic interest rate.
After meeting with Lula, Dario Durigan stated that there was convergence between the participants on the economic diagnosis. The minister also reiterated the government's commitment to the sustainability of public accounts and the gradual improvement of primary results (result of government accounts without interest on public debt), but did not detail fiscal measures.
* with information from Reuters
