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Brazil's budget deficit nears pandemic-era levels as fiscal concerns linger

Brazil's budget deficit nears pandemic-era levels as fiscal concerns linger

By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA, July 31 (Reuters) - Brazil's overall budget deficit widened to nearly 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 12 months through June, central bank data showed on Friday, reaching its highest level since 2021 as elevated interest costs weighed on public finances.

Lula's payroll loans boom, but Brazilian defaults spike too

Lula's payroll loans boom, but Brazilian defaults spike too

By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA, July 30 (Reuters) - Brazil's payroll-deductible lending program for private-sector workers, part of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's push to expand access to cheaper credit, grew explosively in the first half of the year while also boosting consumer delinquencies.

Brazil withholds approval of Trump's ambassador pick, deepening rift with US

Brazil withholds approval of Trump's ambassador pick, deepening rift with US

By Gram Slattery and Lisandra Paraguassu WASHINGTON/BRASILIA, July 30 (Reuters) - The Brazilian government has for weeks withheld the formal diplomatic approval needed for the next U.S. ambassador to take up his post, angering U.S. officials and deepening a rift between the Western Hemisphere's two

BOJ to keep rates steady, deliver hawkish signal as price pressures mount

BOJ to keep rates steady, deliver hawkish signal as price pressures mount

By Leika Kihara TOKYO, July 31 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan is set to keep interest rates steady on Friday but signal its resolve to continue pushing up borrowing costs, as mounting price pressures from the weak yen and Middle East conflict risk driving underlying inflation above its target.

Mexico's economy grows at fastest pace since late 2020 in Q2

Mexico's economy grows at fastest pace since late 2020 in Q2

By Aida Pelaez-Fernandez MEXICO CITY, July 30 (Reuters) - Mexico's economy rebounded in the second quarter from the previous three-month period, growing at its fastest pace since late 2020, a preliminary estimate from national statistics agency INEGI showed on Thursday.

Take Five: Wild times

Take Five: Wild times

July 31 (Reuters) - Summer lull? Don't even think about it. There's a multi-trillion dollar selloff in AI-linked equities taking place, devastating wildfires across Europe and the war in the Middle East continues to rage.

Yen remains under pressure after BOJ keeps rates unchanged

Yen remains under pressure after BOJ keeps rates unchanged

By Jiaxing Li and Ankur Banerjee HONG KONG, July 31 (Reuters) - The yen stayed under pressure on Friday after the Bank of Japan held rates steady, paring some of the sharp gains sparked by coordinated intervention overnight as markets tested Tokyo's resolve to support the sagging currency.

Lula says Brazil denied visas to US officials over election meddling concerns

Lula says Brazil denied visas to US officials over election meddling concerns

BRASILIA, July 30 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed his government had denied visas to two U.S. officials who planned to travel to the country, accusing them of seeking to interfere in October's general election.

S&P says El Niño unlikely to trigger rating changes, for now

S&P says El Niño unlikely to trigger rating changes, for now

By Marc Jones LONDON, July 29 (Reuters) - El Niño is unlikely on its own to lead to sovereign rating downgrades unless the weather phenomenon proves significantly more severe than expected or governments respond with costly support measures, one of S&P Global's top analysts has said.

US 30-year yield hits 2007 high, stocks attempt post-earnings recovery

US 30-year yield hits 2007 high, stocks attempt post-earnings recovery

By Niket Nishant and Ankur Banerjee July 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. government's long-term borrowing costs hit their highest since 2007 on Thursday, while global shares staged a rebound after some encouraging earnings signals reassured investors.

US stocks, dollar slip after Fed leaves rates unchanged

US stocks, dollar slip after Fed leaves rates unchanged

By Karen Brettell July 29 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks extended losses, interest-rate sensitive two-year Treasury yields dropped and the dollar slipped on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, while oil prices surged following renewed attacks across the Middle East.

Santander Brasil posts weakest profit since 2023; shares tumble as provisions rise

Santander Brasil posts weakest profit since 2023; shares tumble as provisions rise

By Gabriel Araujo and Michael Susin SAO PAULO, July 29 (Reuters) - Banco Santander Brasil on Wednesday reported its weakest quarterly profit and profitability since late 2023, missing market expectations as tighter lending spreads and higher provisions for bad loans weighed on earnings.