2026.03.1320:25:16UTC+00Ibovespa Drops on Friday

The Ibovespa fell 0.9% to close at 177,653 on Friday, ending a turbulent week in which mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a stronger US dollar overshadowed positive domestic data from January’s services sector. The session began on a positive note, with the index supported by a 0.3% expansion in services activity, beating market expectations. However, sentiment quickly reversed as crude oil prices climbed back toward $100 per barrel, heightening global risk aversion and triggering a flight to safer, more liquid assets. Although the Ministry of Finance kept its 2026 GDP growth forecast unchanged at 2.3%, the broader market remains weighed down by elevated container shipping costs and persistent concerns over energy-driven inflation. As a result, investors are cautiously repricing assets while awaiting key monetary policy decisions from both the Federal Reserve and Brazil’s central bank (BCB) next week.