Mensajepor Mr_Baca » Vie Nov 18, 2011 11:19 am
Si le subieron la nota...
DJ 2nd UPDATE: S&P Raises Brazil Sovereign Rating To Triple-B
17-Nov-2011
--Brazil continues commitment to prudent fiscal policies
--Flexibility should assure modest but sustained growth
--Government sees upgrade as recognition of policy success
(Adds government, economist comments in the third, seventh and 10th paragraphs.)
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)--Citing Brazil's commitment to sound fiscal policies and prospects for continued growth despite a global slowdown, Standard & Poor's on Thursday raised Brazil's long-term sovereign rating to triple-B from triple-B-minus, with a stable outlook.
In a statement, S&P said, "The Rousseff administration of Brazil has demonstrated its commitment to meeting fiscal targets, thereby enlarging the scope for using monetary tools to influence the domestic economy."
In its own statement, the Brazilian Finance Ministry said the action by S&P was "a recognition that Brazilian economic policies are going in the right direction and that economic fundamentals are sound." The statement noted that Brazil was receiving an upgrade "while other countries are seeing their ratings reduced."
Brazilian fiscal policy is based on establishment, and implementation, of targets for the public sector's primary budget surplus. President Dilma Rousseff has set this year's target as a primary surplus equal to 3.2% of gross domestic product. Budget performance so far this year has been in compliance with the target.
Meeting the fiscal targets has encouraged Brazil's central bank to begin a policy of monetary loosening in order to protect economic growth. Since August, the central bank has cut its Selic base interest rate twice. The rate is now 11.5%, down from its recent peak of 12.5%. More rate cuts are expected.
According to S&P, Brazil's government has demonstrated "policy flexibility" while, at the same time, maintaining "its commitment to economic stability."
Ilan Goldfajn, chief economist at Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ITUB, ITUB4.BR), Brazil's largest private bank, said it was precisely the Brazilian Central Bank's decision to begin cutting interest rates in 2011 that will assure "sustainable growth in 2012." Brazilian policy makers, he said, "are ahead of the curve." Goldfajn predicted 3.0% economic growth this year, rising to 3.5% in 2012.
S&P also cited "the country's growing economic resilience."
According to S&P, the combination of prudent economic policies and continued growth means Brazil will be able to "moderate the impact of potential external shocks and sustain long-term growth prospects."
Bruno Amaral, an economist at the Brazilian Capital Markets Association, said most investors were expecting an S&P upgrade. "There will be no immediate impact on investment patterns," he said. "However, for the long term, it's one more piece of news that Brazil is navigating successfully through the global turbulence."
Among other ratings companies, Fitch also rates Brazil triple-B, with a stable outlook, while Moody's Investors Service rates Brazil Baa2, with a positive rating.