(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Brazil's main stock index is ending the week just shy of a record, at 157,738 points, even as markets in New York, Europe and Asia wobble.

For many expats and foreign investors, it feels as if São Paulo has quietly become one of the few places where the equity story still makes sense.

The immediate drivers are familiar names. Petrobras gained ground as oil prices firmed and investors waited for the company's new 2026–2030 business plan, hoping it will focus spending on profitable projects while keeping hefty dividends.

The newly combined Marfrig-BRF group leapt almost 12% after its first set of joint results showed that meat and processed-food margins are holding up.

Braskem jumped on renewed talk that its controlling shareholder is close to finally selling its stake to a private manager.

On the losing side, education group Yduqs sank after a weaker-than-expected profit report, dragging peer Cogna with it.

Health-insurer Hapvida continued to slide as higher medical costs bit into margins and foreign banks slashed their recommendations.

Some utilities and a major reinsurer also slipped as money rotated toward shares with more growth and risk.


Brazilian Stocks Surge While The Rest Of The World Hits The Brakes
Behind the day-to-day moves lies a deeper story. While U.S. indices are weighed down by expensive technology and artificial-intelligence darlings, Brazilian stocks still trade at roughly half the earnings multiples of developed markets.

Inflation is easing toward the central bank's target, the currency still offers generous interest income, and many local companies throw off real cash instead of grand promises.

Technically, the Ibovespa looks strong but stretched. On the daily chart, prices ride the top of the trading band and momentum is overbought.

On the four-hour chart, signals already point to fatigue, suggesting a pause or gentle pullback is more likely than an immediate collapse.

For outsiders, the message is simple: investors are rewarding Brazil when policy stays disciplined, companies focus on efficiency and capital markets are allowed to work.

In a world anxious about bubbles and easy money, that combination is suddenly rare-and Brazil is benefiting from it.

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