On Thursday, Brazil's equity market closed strongly, reflecting investor optimism particularly across the Public Utilities, Electric Power, and Industrials sectors. The benchmark Bovespa index in Sao Paulo rose by 2.07%, achieving an all-time high by the end of the trading session.
Among the day's top gainers on the Bovespa were Vivara Participacoes SA, climbing 6.16% to close at 29.81, marking an increase of 1.73 points. Cogna Educacao SA also enjoyed a notable rise, gaining 6.17% or 0.25 points to finish at 4.30, reaching a five-year peak. Additionally, Rede D’Or São Luiz SA's shares increased 5.19%, closing 2.13 points higher at 43.18.
Conversely, some stocks retreated during the session. Raia Drogasil SA dropped 3.16%, ending 0.81 points lower at 24.83. CVC Brasil ON saw a decrease of 2.92%, closing at 2.33 after a 0.07 point fall. Prio SA also declined by 1.41%, shedding 0.66 points to end at 46.22.
The overall market breadth was positive, with 611 stocks on the B3 Stock Exchange advancing compared to 344 that declined, and 56 remaining unchanged.
Supporting this bullish trend, the CBOE Brazil ETF Volatility index, reflecting the implied volatility of options on the Bovespa, inched up by 1.35% to 27.01, suggesting modestly increased market uncertainty despite the gains.
In commodities markets, February gold futures rose by 1.91%, or $92.54, to $4,930.04 per troy ounce. Crude oil futures for March delivery declined 2.10% to $59.35 per barrel, while March coffee futures saw a marginal increase of 0.09% to $347.80. Currency movements showed the Brazilian real strengthening, with USD/BRL down 0.73% to 5.28 and EUR/BRL slightly lower by 0.22% at 6.20. The US Dollar Index futures fell 0.42% to 98.14, reflecting global currency shifts impacting Brazil's exchange rates.