I can’t let go of an article from the July 2 edition of the Economist. “Who’s Overheating” proposes an “emerging-markets overheating index” that crunched six factors:
1) Inflation
2) GDP growth since 2007, compared to the past decade
3) Unemployment
4) Credit growth
5) Real interest rates, and
6) Change in current-account balance.
Twenty-seven …
More and more, Brazil seems to be caught between–and battling against–the greenback and the yuan. One result: the real is now among the “most overvalued” currencies in the world.
Part of the problem is the whop-jawed global economy. The world’s largest economy has been slow to recover from the 2008 …
Following the eight year Presidency of Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, Brazil has come to embody both the transformation of Latin America and the rising clout of developing world. Through a combination of heterodox public policies, ‘soft’ diplomacy and the internationalization of brand Brazil, the nation has finally shed its …
With all of the positive news coming out of Sao Paulo’s stock exchange and the ministries of Brasilia recently, this weekend’s crackdown on organized crime in the Complexo de Alemão and Vila do Cruzeiro favelas reminded the world of the crime-ridden Rio de Janeiro of …
In a few short weeks Dilma Rousseff’s government-to-be has already begun to exhibit the damaging infighting and fractioning that many Brazil-watchers had predicted, raising questions about Ms. Rousseff’s strengths as a leader.
Meirelles’ Sassy Exit
Last week the head of Brazil’s central bank for the past eight years, Henrique Meirelles, …
The victory by Dilma Rousseff’’s Worker’s Party (PT) marks the third consecutive failure by Brazil’s Social Democrat Party (PSDB) to regain the presidency, raising questions about the PSDB’s electoral strategy and the party’s place in Brazilian politics.
In the aftermath of the presidential elections one voice has risen above all of …
“We’re in the midst of an international currency war,” declared Brazil’s Finance Minister, Guido Mantega, this past Monday.
Minister Mantega was referring to Brazil’s ongoing struggle to maintain a competitive exchange rate for its exports as other developing nations aim for the same. Although most analysts have recognized the “currency …
Brazil’s most popular politician in history is set to leave the presidency this year, ending nearly eight years at the helm of a government responsible for lifting over 20 million people out of poverty, maintaining Brazil’s economy booming during a global recession (with 2010 growth forecasted at 7.3%), …
She has promised to rule as the “mother for her people” while President Lula refers to her as the “mother of the poor”. Following the results of recent public opinion polls, connecting with Brazil’s mothers is proving vital to Ms. Rousseff’s campaign for the presidency.
Last week’s Ibope and …
Iranian officials have formally rejected Brazil’s second offer of asylum to Iranian Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who is sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery. Iran’s rejection of Brazil’s diplomatic attempts follows President Lula’s initial unsuccessful appeal to the Iranian government made late last …
Brazil’s state-controlled Banco de Brazil and its rival Bradesco have agreed to acquire stakes in BES Africa, a Banco Espirito Santo (BES) holding company that makes investments in the African continent. The joint venture is intended to expand the Brazilian banks’ international operations and benefit Brazilian businesses …
Polling results released this past Friday showed the Workers Party’s (PT) Dilma Rousseff leading José Serra – her main challenger from Brazil’s Social Democrat Party (PSDB) – by a margin of 5-8 points. The results mark the first time that most polls decisively show Lula’s chosen successor ahead …
Spain’s Telefónica announced today the successful takeover of leading Brazilian mobile operator Vivo after weeks of strained negotiations with its joint-owner Portugal Telecom (PT). The move will allow Telefónica to merge its fixed landline services with Vivo’s national mobile network and begin offering Brazilian consumers ‘triple-play’ and ‘quadruple-play’ …
This year’s Presidential candidates are increasingly resorting to fear and competing claims of victimization to win over the electorate.
Today Jose Serra’s running mate (and de facto attack dog) Indio da Costa furthered allegations tying Dilma Rousseff’s Workers Party (the PT) to organized crime and drug trafficking. Indio da …
