Free Trial

MNI BCB Preview - March 2024: Focus On Potential Guidance Adjustment

MNI BCB Preview - March 2024

MNI BCB Preview - March 2024

Executive Summary

  • All surveyed analysts believe that the Copom will continue the easing cycle with another 50bp cut, bringing the Selic rate down to 10.75%.
  • Prior guidance in the January statement reiterated that economic conditions remain consistent with this strategy.
  • However, several BCB officials have recently indicated the possibility of changing the forward guidance, and market participants will therefore be alert for any tweaks to the statement that provide clues on whether the easing pace could be adjusted in the coming meetings.

Click to view full preview:

MNI Brazil Central Bank Preview - March 2024.pdf

Forward Guidance Conditional On the Economic Path

While another 50bp rate cut is widely expected by the market, recent communication from different BCB officials has highlighted the possibility of changes to the guidance regarding the pace of rate cuts going forward. In January, the BCB indicated that more cuts of the same 50bp magnitude would come in the "next meetings," effectively committing policymakers to the current pace until at least the May decision. More recently, however, deputy governor for economic policy Diogo Guillen has said that the forward guidance is “conditional on the expected scenario, which markets ignore”. He also said that the Copom will evaluate whether the signal is appropriate at each meeting.

Inflation Pressures Edge Lower, But Services Inflation Still A Concern

IPCA inflation surprised slightly to the upside in January and February, with the January outturn raising some concerns over the trend in services inflation. Nonetheless, the headline rate has continued to edge lower, reaching 4.50% y/y in February, from 4.62% at the end of last year, and BCB Governor Campos Neto has recently said that there was no “red light” for the central bank regarding the convergence of inflation to the central bank’s 3% target, despite the worsening of services inflation.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.