Brazil Economic Activity Flatlines Ahead of Crucial Interest Rate Decision

  • Economic activity grew 0.01% on month in April; est. was 0.3%
  • Central bankers are seen pausing a yearlong easing cycle
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Brazil’s economic activity stalled in April according to a report that comes days before central bankers are seen halting their almost yearlong cycle of interest rate cuts.

The central bank’s economic activity index, a proxy for gross domestic product, ticked up just 0.01% from March, undershooting the 0.3% median estimate from analysts in a Bloomberg survey. It was the second straight time the month-on-month figure was worse than expected. From a year ago, the gauge gained 4.01%, according to data published on Friday.