Debt Crisis Brews in Brazil as 8 Million Firms Miss Payments

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By Giovanna Bellotti Azevedo and Rachel Gamarski

May 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM UTC

Updated on

May 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM UTC

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Take a glance at the stock market, and all appears well in the Brazilian economy. The Ibovespa has soared more than any other major index in the Americas over the past year — roughly 60% in dollar terms at last count.