Preliminary inflation figures indicate a 0,54% increase in February.
Inflation, as measured by the IPCA-15 (Broad Consumer Price Index), accelerated to 0,54% in February, compared to an increase of 0,31% in January; even so, the result is the lowest for February since 2012; this data may influence the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (Compom) at its meeting this Wednesday, the 22nd; of the 47 economists consulted by Bloomberg, 46 project that the cut in the Selic rate will be 75 basis points, which would bring the basic interest rate to 12,25%.
Márcio Braga, from Infomoney - Inflation, as measured by the IPCA-15 (Broad Consumer Price Index), accelerated to 0,54% in February, compared to an increase of 0,31% in January. The rise was stronger than expected by the market, which had estimated an increase of 0,50% for the month, according to a Bloomberg survey. Even so, the result is the lowest for February since 2012.
The accumulated rate over 12 months was 5,02%. The median projection of economists was 4,98%. Since 2010, the index has not fallen below 5% on this comparative basis.
The IPCA-15 result for this month is especially important because its release coincides with the monetary policy decision. After 18:20 PM, the Copom (Monetary Policy Committee) will announce the new Selic rate level.
Of the 47 economists consulted by Bloomberg, 46 project that the cut will be 75 basis points, which would bring the benchmark interest rate to 12,25%. The only economist who projects interest rates at 12% starting from this meeting lists 9 arguments to support his point of view.