Global markets operate this Thursday (31) with pessimism about the war in Ukraine, and European stocks are heading for the worst quarter since the beginning of the pandemic.
Starting abroad, American futures were operating close to stability. On the one hand, the decline in oil reduces inflation prospects and brings some relief. But, on the other hand, the tension with the war is affecting stocks again.
Doubts about the direction of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine make investors cautious. Ukrainian forces prepare for further attacks in the eastern region of the country. Peace talks are due to resume tomorrow.
After closing at $113 yesterday, oil prices have plummeted to close to $105, with news outlets saying Biden is considering releasing up to 180 million barrels of his oil reserves to counter the rise in prices.
Fears of lockdowns also weighed on oil and other commodities, which fell this morning.
In Europe, stocks fall following the cautious climate in the world. Rates came close to a month’s highs earlier this week as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine began. But they are now on track to close the day with the biggest quarterly drop since the start of 2020.
Germany and Spain released worrying inflation data yesterday, raising fears of interest rate hikes and recession in Europe.
Amid the concerns, Italy’s prime minister said he didn’t think gas supplies would be cut in the face of a dispute over payment in rubles.
In Asia, stocks closed lower, following yesterday’s lows in New York. Worse-than-expected activity rates also affect equities.
Tech shares also fell after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) added Baidu to its list of companies that can be delisted from exchanges on Wall Street.
Brazil
In Brazil, with increased risk aversion in the world, commodities rose and once again boosted the stock market. The Ibovespa closed at its maximum in seven months, above 120 thousand points. Today, with commodities falling, pulled by oil, the stock market may have some correction.
In terms of the economy, the highlight is the release of the unemployment rate, which stood at 11.2% in the quarter ended in February, the same rate as in the quarter ended in January.
The rate came in slightly better than the market’s expectation, which was 11.4%. It is also the lowest rate for a quarter ending in February since 2016.
The country has 12 million unemployed. The IBGE points out that there was a drop in the population looking for work, but the difference in this quarter is that there was no growth in the employed population.
The IBGE also says that the stability in the number of employed means that the market may be returning to a pattern before the Covid-19 pandemic. Yield was stable compared to the previous quarter, but still down 9% over the previous year.
Indexes
The futures Ibovespa was down 0.17%, with 120,806 points. The dollar fell 0.29%, quoted at R$ 4.77. S&P futures rose 0.10%.
Agenda of the Day
In addition to the Pnad (National Household Sample Survey), balance sheets follow, with emphasis on education companies Afya and Arco Educação.
Abroad, the highlight was the US inflation data, which stood at 6.4%, and unemployment insurance, which stood at 202 thousand, in line with expectations.
Source: CNN Brasil
