IBOVESPA Index Jumps 2.5 Percent, Hits Historical High, Above 118,000

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – 2020 has barely begun and is already memorable for the IBOVESPA, which renewed its historic high at over 118,000 points, following the same positive trend that permeated much of 2019 and pushed the index up 31.58 percent over the past year.

The index closed up 2.53 percent, at 118,573 points, renewing its historical maximum due to the coupling of a more positive scenario both abroad and in Brazil. The trading volume reached R$20.86 billion (US$5.22 billion).

Meanwhile the dollar, after opening in decline, turned toward gains tracking the US currency’s surge abroad after unemployment in the US fell to its lowest level in four weeks. The US commercial currency closed up 0.32 percent, at R$4.0249 in purchase and R$4.0258 in sale. The dollar futures contract maturing in February 2020 rose 0.12 percent to R$ 4.029.

Futures interest rates, which experienced a turbulent session, ended up closing in a slight decline. The future contracts maturing in January 2021 dropped by three basis points to 4.53 percent, while those maturing in January 2023 dropped by one point to 5.78 percent.