Brazil's Stock Market Hits Historic Peak As Trump-Lula Handshake Changes Everything

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) A simple handshake at the United Nations transformed Brazil's financial markets Tuesday, sending the Ibovespa index to its first-ever close above 147,000 points and marking a dramatic shift in US-Brazil relations that had been frozen for months.

The Brazilian benchmark surged 0.91 percent to 146,424.94 points after reaching an intraday record of 147,178.47 points.

The breakthrough came hours after US President Donald Trump announced he would meet Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva next week, describing their UN encounter as having "excellent chemistry."

This diplomatic thaw carries enormous economic weight. Trump had imposed punishing 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian products earlier this year, effectively cutting off South America's largest economy from crucial US markets.

The prospect of normalized trade relations sent investors scrambling to buy Brazilian assets across all sectors. Brazilian retailers dominated the winners list.



Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição jumped 4.12 percent, while pharmacy chain Raia Drogasil gained 3.92 percent to 18.30 reais. Car rental firm Localiza surged 3.73 percent to 40.59 reais as investors bet on increased business travel between the countries.

Banking stocks provided the market 's foundation, with Banco do Brasil leading major lenders higher by 2.88 percent ahead of its New York investor presentation.

Itaú Unibanco rose 1.59 percent while BTG Pactual gained 1.40 percent, reflecting expectations that reduced trade tensions would boost lending demand.

State oil company Petrobras added 1.8 percent as crude prices stabilized above 67 dollars per barrel. Export disruptions from Iraqi Kurdistan helped ease global supply glut concerns that had pressured energy stocks for weeks.

The day's most dramatic recovery belonged to Cosan, which rebounded 3.26 percent after Monday's devastating 18 percent plunge.

The sugar and ethanol producer had crashed when it announced a massive capital raise that would heavily dilute existing shareholders, but Tuesday's bounce suggested institutional investors viewed the financing as strategically necessary.

Few stocks declined in the broad rally, with petrochemical giant Braskem leading losers down just 2.38 percent to 8.20 reais. Fashion retailer Lojas Renner fell 2.15 percent to 15.92 reais while Raízen Preferred dropped 1.68 percent to 1.17 reais.

Technical indicators flash warning signs despite the euphoria. The market's momentum gauge, known as RSI, jumped to 77.2, well above the 70 level that typically signals stocks have risen too far too fast.

Trading volume remained normal at 7.8 million daily average, suggesting the rally lacks the heavy institutional participation that sustains major moves.

The Brazilian real strengthened significantly against the dollar, trading near 5.28 reais as currency traders priced in reduced trade war risks. This benefits domestic consumers but could pressure export-heavy companies if the trend continues.

Brazil's central bank maintained its 15 percent benchmark interest rate last week, creating attractive conditions for foreign investment as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated measured US rate cuts ahead.

The interest rate gap continues pulling international capital toward Brazilian assets. From a technical perspective, the index now trades 0.5 percent above its five-day moving average with strong momentum intact.

Key support sits at 141,611 points while the session high at 147,178 points becomes immediate resistance. The breakthrough validates Brazil's economic resilience amid global uncertainties.

Corporate earnings remain solid while domestic demand benefits from sustained employment growth and controlled inflation.

However, success of this rally depends entirely on next week's Trump-Lula meeting producing concrete results rather than diplomatic pleasantries.

Market participants now face a simple question: whether this handshake represents genuine policy change or temporary political theater.

The answer will determine if Brazil's historic stock market surge continues toward 150,000 points or retreats from dangerously overbought levels.

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