Global Economy Briefing — August 28, 2026
Global economy: Overnight markets: Wall Street drifts, dollar softens, yields edge up and LatAm — led by Brazil — extends gains as investors lean into
Rio Times Global Economy Briefing
The Big Three
- Wall Street rebounds on Nvidia. US stocks rose on Thursday, August 27, after the chipmaker beat sales and profit forecasts: the S&P 500 gained 0.72% to 7,731 and the Nasdaq climbed 1.57% to 26,541.
- Brazil keeps climbing. The Ibovespa rose 0.31% to 175,135, its fifth straight daily gain, while the real held near 5.16 per dollar.
- The Fed stays hawkish. The US central bank has kept its key rate at 3.50%–3.75% since December, but officials keep warning the next move could be up, which keeps the gap with Brazil’s 14.00% Selic rate in focus.
United States
| Indicator | Actual | Prior | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago PMI (Aug) | 57.0 est. | 57.6 | Still growing |
| Michigan consumer sentiment (Aug) | 51.0 est. | 55.2 | Households gloomier |
| Michigan 1-yr inflation expectations (Aug) | 4.3% est. | 4.3% | Expectations steady |
| Baker Hughes oil rig count | 452 prev. | — | Flat into weekend |
Europe & United Kingdom
| Indicator | Actual | Prior | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany import prices YoY (Jul) | 7.2% est. | 6.1% | Imported inflation rising |
| Germany unemployment rate (Aug) | 6.4% est. | 6.4% | Labour market stable |
| Germany employment change (Aug) | 5k est. | 6k | Modest hiring |
Asia-Pacific & Emerging Markets
| Indicator | Actual | Prior | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil IGP-M inflation m/m (Aug) | -0.25% est. | -1.16% | Prices still falling |
| Brazil net payrolls (Jul) | 112k est. | 145.2k | Hiring slows |
| Brazil producer prices m/m (Jul) | -0.6% est. | -0.77% | Factory-gate deflation |
| Japan consumer confidence (Aug) | 35.0 est. | 34.9 | Slight uptick |
| Instrument | Level | Session |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 (US) | 7,731 | +0.72% |
| Ibovespa (Brazil) | 175,135 | +0.31% |
| USD/BRL | 5.1618 | +0.22% |
Global economy — Source: RT close, 2026-08-27. US markets closed 16:00 New York time; the Ibovespa close of 175,135.41 was cross-checked against Dow Jones/Morningstar.
Today’s Economic Calendar — Friday, August 28, 2026
| Time | Country | Event | Consensus | Prior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | CN | National People’s Congress | — | — |
| 00:00 | US | Jackson Hole Symposium | — | — |
| 03:35 | JP | 3-Month Bill Auction | — | 1.082 |
| 03:35 | JP | 2-Year JGB Auction | — | 1.483 |
| 05:00 | JP | Consumer Confidence | 35 | 34.9 |
| 06:00 | DE | Import Prices YoY | 7.2 | 6.1 |
| 07:55 | DE | Unemployment Rate | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| 07:55 | DE | Employment Change | 5 | 6 |
| 11:00 | BR | IGP-M Inflation | -0.25 | -1.16 |
| 11:30 | BR | Bank Lending | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| 12:00 | BR | Producer Price Index m/m | -0.6 | -0.77 |
| 13:00 | CL | Unemployment Rate | 9.4 | 9.4 |
Live Market IntelligenceGlobal Markets — Live Board
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Global Markets — Live Board
| Instrument | Last | Change | YoY | Prev. | High | Low | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPX | 7,751 | +0.29% | — | — | — | — | — |
| NDX | 29,799 | +0.93% | — | — | — | — | — |
| DJI | 53,810 | +0.03% | — | — | — | — | — |
| RUT | 3,041 | +0.46% | — | — | — | — | — |
| US10Y | 4.6760 | -0.17% | — | — | — | — | — |
| VIX | 14.60 | -4.45% | — | — | — | — | — |
| DAX | 26,331 | -0.23% | — | — | — | — | — |
| FTSE | 10,833 | -0.10% | — | — | — | — | — |
| CAC | 8,675 | -0.46% | — | — | — | — | — |
| STOXX | 659.48 | -0.16% | — | — | — | — | — |
| NIKKEI | 67,524 | +0.83% | — | — | — | — | — |
| HSI | 25,440 | -0.83% | — | — | — | — | — |
| KOSPI | 6,579 | +3.68% | — | — | — | — | — |
| CSI300 | 4,691 | +0.58% | — | — | — | — | — |
| NIFTY | 24,436 | -0.15% | — | — | — | — | — |
| TSX | 36,619 | +0.39% | — | — | — | — | — |
| GOLD | 4,461 | +1.78% | +33.20% | 4,383 | 4,503 | 4,421 | 139,824 |
| SILVER | 65.59 | +1.26% | +73.05% | 64.77 | 66.98 | 64.81 | 46,406 |
01 Wall Street rebounds as Nvidia delivers
US stocks rose on Thursday, August 27, after Nvidia reported sales and profit above forecasts and gave a stronger-than-expected outlook. The S&P 500 gained 0.72% to 7,731, the Nasdaq climbed 1.57% to 26,541 and the Dow added 0.20% to 53,569.
Nvidia shares jumped more than 0% in extended trading after its Wednesday evening report, and that mood carried through Thursday’s session. The VIX, a gauge of how nervous investors are, fell 4.60% to 14.51, while gold eased 0.63% to US$4,595 an ounce as investors felt less need for safety.
02 Brazil rides its rate advantage
Brazil’s Ibovespa closed at 175,135.41 on Thursday, up 0.31%, its fifth straight daily gain and a rise of about 4.3% over five sessions. Foreign money keeps flowing into one of the world’s highest-paying bond and stock markets.
Brazil’s central bank cut the Selic rate to 14.00% on August 5, its fourth straight quarter-point cut, yet that is still far above the Fed’s 3.50%–3.75%. Investors who borrow cheaply in dollars and park the money in Brazilian assets keep supporting the real, which ended Thursday near 5.16 per dollar.
03 The Fed’s warning keeps markets careful
The Fed has held its benchmark rate at 3.50%–3.75% since December, but three officials voted for a rate rise in July and Chair Kevin Warsh says the bank “will deliver price stability.” With US inflation running at 3.7% over the past year, half of the rate-setting committee expects at least one rate rise before the end of 2026.
For Brazil, that cuts both ways: higher US yields compete with Brazilian bonds, but a firm US economy keeps demand for Brazilian exports strong. Friday brings US consumer sentiment and Brazil’s IGP-M wholesale prices, the last big numbers before the weekend.
What to watch today and this week
- Friday: US consumer sentiment and inflation expectations; Brazil IGP-M inflation, bank lending and producer prices; Germany unemployment; Chile unemployment.
- Next week: US jobs report, Brazil GDP revision, Chile unemployment follow-up, Mexico central bank minutes.
- Ongoing: the Fed’s September decision, Brazil’s Selic cutting path, China stimulus follow-through, commodity price direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US central bank doing with interest rates?
The Fed has kept its benchmark rate at 3.50%–3.75% since December. Officials have dropped talk of cuts, and half of the committee now expects a rate rise before the end of 2026 because inflation is running at 3.7%.
Why does Brazil’s stock market keep rising?
The Ibovespa has gained for five straight sessions, closing Thursday at 175,135, up 0.31%. Brazil’s 14.00% Selic rate attracts foreign money, and Thursday brought a global mood lift from strong Nvidia results.
What is the real doing against the dollar?
The dollar cost about 5.16 reais at Thursday’s close, little changed on the week. Brazil’s high interest rates keep the currency attractive to foreign investors even as the central bank trims rates slowly.
What data come out on Friday, August 28?
The US releases consumer sentiment and inflation expectations, while Brazil publishes IGP-M wholesale inflation, bank lending and factory-gate prices. Germany reports unemployment and Chile reports its jobless rate.
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