Key Points — The Banco Central do Brasil Focus survey published Monday raised the 2026 IPCA projection for a sixth consecutive week to 4.80%, up from 4.71% the prior week and 4.17% four weeks ago — now above the 4.50% inflation target ceiling. — The Selic forecast jumped 50 basis points to 13.00% for year-end […]

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Key Points The Safra family banking dynasty traces its roots to 1840s Aleppo and today controls over $590 billion in assets under management across Banco Safra, J. Safra Sarasin, and Safra National Bank of New York — making it one of the most consequential private banking empires in the world. A multi-year inheritance dispute between […]

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Key Points Palmeiras lead the 2026 Brasileirão by six points after 11 rounds, while Flamengo — despite sacking their most successful coach hours after an 8-0 win — are flying in the Copa Libertadores under new boss Leonardo Jardim. Flamengo’s annual revenue reached a record US$380 million, making them the only non-European club near the […]

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Key Points Rodrigo Paz ended two decades of MAS rule in November 2025 and immediately declared an economic emergency, cutting fuel subsidies, slashing the budget, and securing over $8 billion in multilateral financing — halving Bolivia’s country risk from ~2,100 to 477 basis points within months. S&P issued a rare double-notch upgrade (CCC− to CCC+) […]

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Key Points Gilmar Mendes, the STF’s longest-serving active justice, faces a formal congressional impeachment recommendation for the first time in Brazilian history — stemming from the Banco Master financial scandal and allegations he annulled legislative subpoenas to protect colleague justices. His private law institute (IDP) has received documented funding from JBS (a firm convicted in […]

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Rio Times Crypto & Perpetuals Brief Saturday, April 18, 2026 · Snapshot at 08:03 UTC The Big Three 1. Bitcoin surged above $77,000 after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” — the highest BTC price since early February — as oil crashed 10% and capital rotated from commodities into risk assets. BTC/USD trades […]

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Rio Times Daily Market Brief · Brazil Saturday, April 18, 2026 · Covering the session of Friday, April 17 The Big Three 1. Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is “completamente aberto” — and oil crashed up to 14%, dragging Petrobras down nearly 7% and ripping the Ibovespa from an intraday high of 198,665 to […]

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Hormuz Reopened: Iran Declares Strait “Completely Open,” Brent Crashes 9% Below $90, WTI Hits $83 Intraday — Trump: “Deal Is Close,” Claims Iran Will Suspend Nuclear Programme and Ship 441kg Uranium to US — Tehran: “Nothing Is Certain Yet” — Petrobras Crashes ~7%, Ibovespa Falls Third Straight Session to 195,733 (−0.55%), but Real Strengthens to […]

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This global economy briefing covers Friday, April 17 — the day the war effectively ended. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” to all commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire, posting on X: “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait […]

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Latin America stock markets hit record highs in 2026 led by the Ibovespa at 197K. This guide covers all five major indices, foreign flows, ETFs, and the Iran war impact.

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Mexico economy guide for 2026 covering GDP recovery, Banxico rate cuts, peso dynamics, record nearshoring FDI, USMCA review risks, and the Iran war impact on prices.

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The Iran War and Strait of Hormuz blockade reshaped global oil markets, Latin American economies, and geopolitical alliances in 2026. This guide covers the timeline, oil shock, and regional impact.

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