Brazil’s October Current-Account Gap Reaches $5.1 Billion as FDI Covers Shortfall

Overview

• The central bank reported a $5.121 billion current-account deficit in October and a 12‑month shortfall of $76.7 billion, equal to 3.48% of GDP.
• A $6.17 billion surplus in goods trade helped counter deficits in services ($4.4 billion) and primary income ($7.4 billion).
• Travel, intellectual property and IT services widened the services gap, while profit and dividend remittances were about $5.25 billion and interest payments near $2.2 billion.
• Net foreign direct investment reached $10.9 billion in October and $74.3 billion from January to October, the largest nominal tally for that period since 2014.
• Portfolio inflows were about $3.0 billion in October, international reserves stood at $357.1 billion, and the third week of November posted a $1.8 billion goods‑trade surplus.