Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Brazil's Real Firms As Softer Dollar, High Carry Cap USD/BRL Near 5.44


(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Brazil's real opened Monday steadier, with USD/BRL around 5.44 in early São Paulo trading after a quiet overnight session that saw the dollar soften broadly.

The move tracked a weaker U.S. dollar index at the start of a data-heavy week, as investors leaned toward the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut later this month, encouraging modest selling of the greenback on rallies.

Local fundamentals offered a neutral backdrop. Brazil's policy stance remains restrictive and firmly data-dependent, preserving the currency's high carry appeal even as growth indicators point to a cooler domestic cycle.

On the inflation front, incremental relief from fuel adjustments-such as a cut to domestic jet-fuel prices effective today-adds marginal comfort but is not a first-order driver for FX .

Flows were orderly. Equity and dollar-proxy ETFs mirrored the softer dollar tone into the open, while onshore FX volumes were typical for a Monday and lacking a single dominant catalyst.



Dealers described a two-way market, with exporters taking advantage of intraday pops in the dollar and real-money demand emerging near recent highs in USD/BRL .

Technically, the pair remains capped beneath a cluster of medium-term moving averages on the daily chart, where momentum has been weak but not oversold.

On the four-hour view, price action is compressed around short-term averages, with momentum oscillators hovering mid-range-consistent with consolidation rather than a clean trend.

Taken together, the setup favors“sell the rip” behavior toward the daily moving-average band unless the dollar index stages a decisive rebound.

The risk calendar argues for patience. U.S. labor prints later this week could reset Fed expectations and the dollar path; any upside surprise in payrolls or wages would challenge the real's early-week bid.

Domestically, investors continue to monitor fiscal signals and central-bank communication for clues on the duration of tight policy. Bottom line: with the global dollar on the back foot and Brazil's carry still attractive, the real holds a slight tactical edge.

Absent a shock from U.S. data or a sharp shift in local policy tone, USD/BRL is likely to trade range-bound with a downward tilt, as participants sell dollars into strength and wait for clearer direction.

MENAFN30092025007421016031ID1110128598

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Search