The Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br) fell by almost 1% in January, compared to December last year. According to the Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br), released today (17) by the Central Bank (BC), the drop was 0.99%, considering the percentage already seasonally adjusted to compensate for any differences between the periods, such as the greater number of holidays or weekends. With the change, the indicator closed the month at 138.48 points.
The IBC-Br incorporates information on the level of activity of the three sectors of the economy: industry, commerce and services and agriculture, in addition to the volume of taxes.
According to the BC, in comparison with January 2021, the IBC-Br recorded a positive change of 0.01%. In comparison with the three previous months, the IBC-Br was 0.19% and in the accumulated in 12 months it advanced 4.73%.
The index, considered a preview of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is a way of evaluating the evolution of Brazilian economic activity and helps the BC to make decisions about the basic interest rate (Selic), defined yesterday (16) by the bank in 11.75% per year.
GDP forecast is revised
This Thursday, the Ministry of Economy lowered the forecast of growth of the Brazilian GDP for this year. With the reduction, the growth estimate went from 2.1% to 1.5%. For the next year, the growth projection of 2.5% was maintained.
In addition to the reduction in GDP, the government increased its inflation forecast for this year, measured by the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA), which rose from 4.7% to 6.55%.
