Brazilian equities closed higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark Bovespa index adding 1.16% at the end of trading in Sao Paulo. Sector gains were concentrated in Basic Materials, Public Utilities and Electric Power, which collectively supported the advance.
At the individual stock level, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSNA3) was the session's top performer on the exchange, climbing 8.85% - a gain of 0.58 points - to finish at 7.11. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA USIMINAS Pref (USIM5) rose 8.57%, or 0.95 points, to close at 12.12, while Gerdau SA Pref (GGBR4) gained 6.53%, or 1.51 points, ending the day at 24.58.
On the downside, Marcopolo SA (POMO4) led declines among the most active names, slipping 2.78% or 0.17 points to 5.95 at the close. Magazine Luiza SA (MGLU3) fell 2.41%, down 0.14 points to finish at 5.71. WEG SA (WEGE3) also ended the day lower, retreating 2.33% or 1.00 point to 42.12.
Market breadth was narrowly positive across the B3 exchange, with 484 stocks advancing, 476 declining and 48 finishing unchanged.
Several intra-day milestones were recorded. Shares of Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA USIMINAS Pref (USIM5) reached three-year highs, closing at 12.12 after the 8.57% advance. Gerdau SA Pref (GGBR4) climbed to 52-week highs as it closed at 24.58 following a 6.53% gain. Conversely, Magazine Luiza SA (MGLU3) dropped to 52-week lows, ending at 5.71 after a 2.41% decline.
Volatility on Brazil-related options rose as the CBOE Brazil ETF Volatility index moved up 4.24% to 31.23.
In commodities markets, Gold Futures for August delivery were up 0.30% or 13.35 to $4,519.65 a troy ounce. Crude oil for delivery in July rose 1.45% or 1.34 to $93.50 a barrel. The July US coffee C contract fell 0.56% or 1.45 to trade at $259.15.
On currency crosses, the Brazilian real strengthened versus the dollar, with USD/BRL down 0.46% to 5.00. EUR/BRL also fell, down 0.35% to 5.84. The US Dollar Index Futures was marginally higher, up 0.03% at 99.17.
The session highlighted a rotation into Basic Materials and utility-related names, with steelmakers among the most pronounced movers. At the same time, rising implied volatility and mixed commodity moves provide a backdrop to the market's narrow breadth.