Brazilian equities closed notably lower on Thursday as sector-specific selling pushed the Bovespa down 2.38% to a new one-month low in Sao Paulo. Pressure across the Public Utilities, Electric Power and Financials sectors was the principal force behind the broad market decline.
The session's top performers included Smartfit Escola de Ginastica e Danca SA (BVMF:SMFT3), which advanced 11.66% or 2.12 points to finish at 20.19. Software and services firm Totvs SA (BVMF:TOTS3) climbed 9.46% or 3.13 points to close at 35.88, and beef producer Minerva SA/Brazil (BVMF:BEEF3) rose 3.78% or 0.15 points to end the day at 4.11.
On the other side of the ledger, Grupo Vamos SA (BVMF:VAMO3) posted a 7.48% loss, sliding 0.30 points to 3.72 at the close. Axia Energia SA Preferred (BVMF:AXIA6) fell 6.48% or 4.42 points to 63.67, and hospital operator Rede D’Or São Luiz SA (BVMF:RDOR3) declined 6.47% or 2.61 points to 37.83.
Market breadth was negative: 627 stocks fell versus 318 that gained, while 48 issues finished unchanged on the B3 exchange. The trading session therefore displayed a clear skew toward decliners, consistent with the index's move to a one-month low.
Volatility measured by the CBOE Brazil ETF Volatility index eased, falling 1.47% to 31.61, signaling a modest pullback in implied option volatility for the Bovespa.
Commodities traded mixed during the session. Gold futures for June delivery rose 0.62% or 28.94 to $4,723.24 per troy ounce. Crude oil for June delivery increased 0.98% or 0.93 to $96.01 per barrel. By contrast, the July US coffee C contract fell 4.02% or 11.40 to trade at $272.45.
Currency markets showed small moves against the Brazilian real. The USD/BRL pair was up 0.15% to 4.92, while the EUR/BRL rate fell 0.29% to 5.79. Meanwhile, US Dollar Index Futures were higher by 0.20% at 98.07.
Summary of session data:
- Bovespa performance: -2.38%, one-month low.
- Top gainers: SMFT3 +11.66%, TOTS3 +9.46%, BEEF3 +3.78%.
- Top decliners: VAMO3 -7.48%, AXIA6 -6.48%, RDOR3 -6.47%.
- Breadth: 627 down, 318 up, 48 unchanged.
- CBOE Brazil ETF Volatility: -1.47% to 31.61.
- Selected commodities: Gold +0.62% to $4,723.24/oz; Crude +0.98% to $96.01/bbl; Coffee C -4.02% to $272.45.
- Currencies: USD/BRL +0.15% to 4.92; EUR/BRL -0.29% to 5.79; US Dollar Index Futures +0.20% at 98.07.