Brazil Industry Extends Modest Rebound With 0.1% March Gain

Overview

• IBGE said Thursday that industrial output rose 0.1% in March, marking a third month of growth and a 3.1% year‑to‑date increase.
• The advance was concentrated in petroleum products, chemicals and motor vehicles, with only 8 of 25 branches expanding, which IBGE called a signal of alert.
• The level of production stood 3.3% above the pre‑pandemic mark, yet it remained 13.9% below the 2011 peak, showing how far the sector still has to climb.
• CNI reported Friday that factory revenue rose 3.8% in March, while capacity use in plants was still low at 77.8% and employment fell 0.3%.
• Anfavea said Friday that automakers built 225,800 vehicles in April, up 2.4% from a year earlier but down 9.5% from March as exports weakened, especially to Argentina.