06/16/2025

Most Brazilian retailers already accept Pix — Foto: Getty Images
Most Brazilian retailers already accept Pix — Photo: Getty Images

With the launch of Pix Automático this Monday, Brazil’s Central Bank (BC) has delivered the latest milestone in its innovation roadmap for the country’s instant payment system. Several new functionalities are slated to follow, including Pix Parcelado (installment payments), Pix em Garantia (secured Pix), and MED 2.0 (an enhanced special refund mechanism).

The Central Bank expects Pix Automático to streamline recurring payments for both payers—whether individuals or businesses—and recipients, such as gyms or residential associations. Similar to direct debit, the new feature enables automatic recurring payments through Pix.

According to BC President Gabriel Galípolo, the tool will give roughly 60 million Brazilians without access to credit cards the ability to pay for recurring services. “It also enhances security for those who already make this kind of payment, such as for subscriptions, by reducing risks like credit card data theft,” he said at an event last week.

For merchants, the new mechanism is expected to cut operational costs. Today, businesses seeking to offer direct debit must negotiate agreements with multiple financial institutions. With Pix Automático, they will only need to partner with one. Lower costs could, in turn, reduce delinquency rates by ensuring more timely, automated payments.

Rodrigo Caldas de Carvalho Borges, partner at CBA Advogados, said adoption of Pix Automático by companies will likely be gradual and sector-specific, depending on operational, technical, and regulatory adaptations. “Uptake should be faster in sectors already familiar with recurring billing models—such as streaming services, internet providers, utilities, and educational institutions,” he said. “For them, Pix Automático presents a natural, lower-cost, and more efficient alternative to direct debit.”

For consumers, the system will offer simplified control via banking apps, including managing authorizations, tracking payments, and issuing cancellations. Before each charge, the payer’s bank will present transaction details, allowing the user to confirm the amount.

The next feature in the Pix pipeline is Pix Parcelado, scheduled for release in September. While some private financial institutions already offer installment options via Pix, the Central Bank wants to create a standardized user experience. According to Renato Gomes, BC’s director of financial system organization and resolution, this includes uniform presentation of credit information to users.

Also under development is MED 2.0, an upgraded Special Return Mechanism that enables users to dispute Pix transactions in cases of fraud or scams via a self-service tool within their banking app—eliminating the need to contact customer service. MED 2.0 is expected to go live in December and become mandatory in February 2026.

Further down the road, between 2026 and 2027, the Central Bank plans to roll out Pix em Garantia, which will allow businesses to use future Pix receivables as collateral for credit operations. This would help reduce the cost of borrowing for merchants, although it would not change how individuals use Pix.

A cross-border version of Pix, or Pix Internacional, is also being considered, though no launch date has been set. According to Mr. Gomes, the project still faces “significant” challenges, mainly in coordinating between regulatory jurisdictions—a hurdle that has slowed progress on the international front.

*By Gabriel Shinohara, Valor — Brasília

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

06/16/2025


Sources say the federal government is pushing for the project to move forward and would prefer to see Vale take the lead — Foto: Leo Pinheiro/Valor
Sources say the federal government is pushing for the project to move forward and would prefer to see Vale take the lead — Photo: Leo Pinheiro/Valor

After a period of stalled negotiations, discussions around the Bahia Mineração (Bamin) project have regained momentum. According to Valor’s business website Pipeline, Vale, Cedro Participações, and BNDES have resumed talks centered on the mine and railway operation, while actively looking for a third party to take over the port terminal. The companies have approached investors from the Arab world and China, offering the incentive of a “take-or-pay” contract for iron ore transportation.

The Bamin project includes an iron ore mine in Caetité (Bahia) with an annual production capacity of 26 million tonnes, the completion of a section of the West-East Integration Railway (FIOL), and the construction of a port terminal in Ilhéus, also in Bahia. Total investment in the venture could surpass R$30 billion, according to estimates. Bamin is owned by Kazakhstan’s Eurasian Resources Group, which has been seeking a buyer for the entire project.

Talks around the project have seen several starts and stops. Brazil Iron, another interested party, submitted a proposal but failed to secure exclusivity for the deal.

Behind the scenes, sources say the federal government is pushing for the project to move forward and would prefer to see Vale take the lead. Vale CEO Gustavo Pimenta has publicly acknowledged that Bamin is among the projects under review. However, the company has not committed to any timeline for making a decision.

While the matter is under discussion at the technical and executive levels within Vale, it has not yet reached the board of directors, according to Valor’s sources. The due diligence process includes geotechnical assessments to determine the size of the reserves and iron content.

In response to inquiries, Vale referred to its latest public filing on the Bamin matter, which states that “investment opportunities are evaluated as part of the company’s regular business activities.”

A joint effort by Vale, Cedro, and BNDES is seen as a viable path forward. Cedro lacks the capacity to execute the project on its own, while neither Vale nor BNDES appear willing to shoulder the full risk independently. According to sources, BNDES could potentially contribute equity and also help fund the project.

Market participants have expressed concern that political pressure could push Vale into an investment that ultimately erodes shareholder value. A source close to the company emphasized that any potential investment in Bamin would only proceed if it met internal return thresholds. During the commodity boom of the 2000s, Vale made international acquisitions that later led to losses and divestitures—some sold at symbolic values.

Analysts argue that it would make more strategic sense for Vale to focus on expanding and developing new mines in Carajás, in southeastern Pará, where it already has high-grade reserves and supporting infrastructure. The challenge, however, is that both Vale and the broader mining sector are still waiting on a federal decree on cave regulation. The long-anticipated legislation would define mining permissions in areas with protected caves, which are home to sensitive flora and fauna. To date, the decree has not been issued.

*By Maria Luíza Filgueiras  and Francisco Góes  — Rio de Janeiro

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

 

 

06/16/2025 

Eight years after losing what became known as the “case of the century” in Brazil’s tax litigation history, the federal government now faces another potentially costly defeat. This time, companies are seeking to exclude the municipal services tax (ISS) from the calculation base of two federal social contributions—PIS (Social Integration Program) and Cofins (Contribution for the Financing of Social Security)—in a legal argument that stems from the earlier ICMS (state-level value-added tax) exclusion case. Taxpayers have the advantage in federal appellate courts and are well-positioned to win in the Supreme Court (STF).

The current tally in Brazil’s highest court signals a likely loss for the government. Both the STF’s Virtual Plenary and lower court rulings mirror the dominance of favorable rulings for companies. Between January 2024 and January 2025, 75% of 602 decisions from regional federal courts ordered the removal of ISS from the tax base, according to a survey by law firm Velloza Advogados.

The case, listed as Theme 118, resembles the ICMS case and remains pending in the Supreme Court. A defeat could deal a R$35.4 billion blow to public finances, based on figures from the 2025 Budget Guidelines Law, at a time when the federal government is pushing to increase revenue and eliminate the primary deficit.

The STF began reviewing the case in 2020, but the trial was suspended in August 2023. The outcome is critical for defining the constitutional concept of gross revenue. In some earlier rulings on related cases, the Supreme Court classified taxes as part of corporate revenue. However, with Brazil’s new tax reform introducing a dual VAT system, taxes will be levied separately—clarifying that they do not constitute revenue for companies.

Appeal rulings

Velloza Advogados analyzed appeal rulings from Brazil’s six federal appellate courts. All decisions from TRF-1, TRF-2, and TRF-3—which handle most of the lawsuits—favored the taxpayers, applying the same rationale used in the ICMS exclusion case (Theme 69).

TRF-4, based in Southern Brazil, diverged. Of its 119 decisions, all went against the companies. TRF-5 issued mixed rulings but mostly sided with businesses, agreeing that the ISS does not constitute revenue and should therefore not be included in the PIS/Cofins tax base. TRF-6, based in Minas Gerais, opted to suspend proceedings until the Supreme Court rules—even though a formal stay has not been ordered.

So far, the STF’s physical plenary shows a score of four votes against the federal government and two in its favor. Five justices have yet to cast their votes, but tax lawyers expect a victory for taxpayers. Optimism stems from Justice André Mendonça, who had been a wildcard but voted in favor of the companies in 2024. Considering votes from both the Virtual Plenary—previously split 4–4—and those cast in the ICMS case, there would already be a majority in favor of businesses.

Three justices have voted in this case so far: Dias Toffoli and Gilmar Mendes against the companies, and Justice Mendonça in favor. Votes from retired justices Celso de Mello (the rapporteur), Rosa Weber, and Ricardo Lewandowski—also in favor of taxpayers—remain valid. As a result, current justices Nunes Marques, Flávio Dino, and Cristiano Zanin, who succeeded them, will not vote.

Taking all these votes into account, there is currently a 5–5 tie. Only Justice Luiz Fux has yet to vote. Given his prior stance in the ICMS case, the expectation is that he will vote for the companies, securing their win.

Lead case

The lead case involves Viação Alvorada, a bus operator in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Both the trial court and TRF-4 ruled against the company. Heron Charneski, lead attorney at Charneski Advogados, is representing Viação Alvorada at the Supreme Court. He said TRF-4’s stance mirrors its position in the ICMS case.

“After the ICMS ruling, the court began following the STF’s guidance. But since the ISS hasn’t been ruled on, it reverted to its earlier jurisprudence,” Mr. Charneski said. A ruling by the Supreme Court would help standardize decisions across appellate courts, especially important during the transition to Brazil’s tax reform, under which the ISS will no longer be included in the base of the new Contribution on Goods and Services (CBS), which will replace PIS and Cofins.

Mr. Charneski argued that the ISS exclusion case is not a derivative, but rather a “sister” case to the ICMS one—similar to another major issue, Theme 1037, which discusses excluding PIS and Cofins from their own tax bases. “All these cases depend on the definition of revenue, which determines whether PIS and Cofins are due. We’re looking for a consistent interpretation—a single concept of revenue for both taxes,” he said.

Gross revenue definition

At the core of these cases is how to define gross revenue. “It’s a concept that has haunted Brazil for a long time,” said economist and tax lawyer Eduardo Fleury, founding partner of FCR Law. Many major rulings by the Supreme Court, he added, have included taxes to be remitted to the government within the definition of gross revenue. “You won’t find this concept in the rest of the world,” he said.

Mr. Fleury warned that this is a “harmful path,” especially now that Brazil has approved its tax reform and is adopting a split payment system. “The new system makes it clear that taxes are external to revenue and should be charged separately,” he said. He noted that the ISS is similar to the U.S. sales tax, which is itemized separately. “The tax is charged on top of the product and clearly shown because it doesn’t belong to the seller—it’s owed to the municipal government.”

Tax lawyer Fernanda Secco, a partner at Velloza Advogados, argued that since court rulings overwhelmingly favor taxpayers, there is no reason to restrict the impact of the ruling to future cases—a proposal made by Justice Mendonça. “There’s no surprise here that would justify such limitation,” she said.

Mr. Mendonça suggested that companies which didn’t include ISS in their PIS/Cofins tax base or whose amounts remain in escrow would not owe the tax. But for those who already paid over the years and whose tax credits have expired, there would be no retroactive recovery—citing a “social interest” in protecting the integrity of the budget cycle.

Ms. Secco expressed concern over the proposal, saying it undermines legal certainty and equal treatment among businesses. “Companies that acted conservatively and chose not to benefit from favorable rulings and paid the tax would be barred from recovering what they paid,” she said. “The proposal rewards those who didn’t pay, which could even distort competition.”

The Attorney General of the National Treasury declined to comment.

*By Marcela Villar — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com

 

 

 

 

06/11/2025

 

Decision almost halved claims of power generators, which were aiming for R$11bn

Brazil’s National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) approved on Tuesday (10) an intermediary proposal in the long-running dispute over compensation to power transmission companies for assets in the so-called Existing Basic Network System (RBSE). The decision, closely watched by power sector stakeholders, reduces transmission costs by R$5.6 billion between July 2025 and July 2028—savings that will benefit both consumers and generators.

The move aims to reconcile opposing interests in a battle that has dragged on for years. On one side, generators, self-producers, and large consumers—represented by groups such as Abrace (Association of Large Industrial Energy Consumers) and Abiape (Brazilian Association of Self-Production Energy Investors)—had pushed for a larger cut of about R$11 billion.

On the other side, transmission companies including Furnas, Chesf, Eletronorte, and Eletrosul (subsidiaries of Eletrobras), as well as Isa Energia, Cemig-GT, CEEE-GT, Copel-GT, and Celg-GT, defended maintaining the full indemnity values. Agnes da Costa, the board member who issued the deciding vote, said the ruling preserves compensation but adjusts future payments in favor of consumers.

“These are assets of transmission companies that, for a period, consumers weren’t paying for, weren’t compensating, and are now returning to the tariffs. There was controversy over part of that amount. Now, with this decision, the consumer will keep paying—but going forward, we can see there’s about a R$5 billion reduction between what was originally expected and what will actually be paid,” Ms. Costa told reporters.

While reading her final opinion on the case, Ms. Costa highlighted that the process demanded a thorough technical review due to the issue’s complexity, strong legal arguments on both sides, and the real risk of billion-real litigation.

“While not abandoning their legal theses, both sides expressed willingness to find a balanced outcome through a technically defensible solution based on prior technical analyses—one that delivers immediate benefits to consumers and minimizes legal risks.”

The central controversy surrounded the methodology for calculating owed amounts, particularly with regard to return on invested capital in those assets. Ms. Costa rejected arguments from dissenting votes that previous calculations contained methodological errors, reaffirming the technical soundness of the analysis conducted thus far.

The measure passed by a 3-2 vote, with support from Director-General Sandoval Feitosa and Acting Director Daniel Danna. The dissenting vote, previously proposed by former director Hélvio Guerra and backed by Fernando Mosna, called for changes to the calculation method and a deeper cut to compensation. Director Ludimila Lima did not participate in the vote, as she currently occupies Mr. Guerra’s former seat.

The case dates back to Provisional Measure No. 579/2012, issued during President Dilma Rousseff’s administration, which sought to reduce electricity costs. The measure altered the concession model for the power sector by requiring early and conditional contract renewals for generation and transmission operators. As a result, transmission firms that opted into the new model stopped receiving returns on assets still in operation and critical to the grid.

This created a financial imbalance in the contracts, which ANEEL acknowledged. In 2016, the agency mandated compensation for RBSE assets—a multibillion-real liability that has since been gradually incorporated into transmission tariffs. Consumers have been covering these indemnities through charges on their electricity bills.

*By Robson Rodrigues, Valor — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

 

 

 

 

06/11/2025

At a time when Congress is pressing the executive branch to rein in public spending as an alternative to raising the Financial Transactions Tax (IOF), lawmakers themselves have yet to act on fiscal reform proposals already on the table—such as the cap on public sector “supersalaries,” which has seen little progress.

Public finance experts interviewed by Valor argue that Congress could contribute meaningfully to Brazil’s fiscal rebalancing by cutting back on parliamentary earmarks—a move that would represent a concrete step toward spending restraint. This year’s budget earmarks amount to R$50.5 billion, with an additional R$11.2 billion in discretionary executive expenditures added to compensate for unpaid transfers last year, bringing the total to R$61.7 billion.

In response, lawmakers have pledged to move forward with administrative reform, currently under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies and led by Federal Deputy Pedro Paulo (Social Democratic Party, PSD, Rio de Janeiro). However, several legislators caution that the bill is unlikely to emphasize cost-cutting. One influential leader of “Centrão” bloc in Congress told Valor that reform proposals should originate from the executive branch, although contributions from the legislative working group may also emerge.

Experts propose Congress take lead in trimming earmarks

The bill to curb “supersalaries”—by capping indemnity payments that push public servants’ pay above the constitutional ceiling—was passed by the Chamber in 2021 but remains stalled in the Senate. The deadlock stems from attempts to bundle it with the so-called “quinquennial PEC,” a constitutional amendment that restores a bonus for judges and exempts it from the salary cap.

Similarly, lawmakers have kept their distance from another contentious issue: military pension reform, which the government submitted in December 2024. Six months on, the bill remains untouched in the Chamber, awaiting assignment of a rapporteur. The proposal sets a minimum retirement age of 55 for military personnel—currently, there is no age requirement, and service members can retire after 35 years.

In 2023, military pension and retirement benefits posted a R$51.8 billion deficit, compared to R$304.6 billion for Brazil’s general social security system (managed by the National Institute of Social Security, INSS). During the Agenda Brasil – the Brazilian fiscal outlook seminar hosted by Valor, CBN Radio, and O Globo, Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicans of Paraíba) pledged to review the matter. “We’ll do our part on this issue,” he said.

A government-aligned senator told Valor that many cost-cutting bills are already pending in Congress, but meaningful progress would require reciprocal efforts from the executive. “How can we reduce spending if no one’s willing to put in the effort?” he asked. “Once we show effort here, they need to show it there too. No one wants to give ground because of the power dynamics involved.”

Senate government leader Jaques Wagner (Workers’ Party, PT, of Bahia) noted that lawmakers are also reluctant to budge. “Hugo [Motta] made a good point. Everyone knows adjustment is needed, but no one wants to concede an inch,” he remarked. “Today [Tuesday, 10] I attended the Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) to follow debate on raising the physician salary floor. Everyone talks fiscal responsibility, then backs something that could cost R$40 billion,” he criticized.

Senator Efraim Filho (Paraíba), a leader of Brazil Union and chair of the Joint Budget Committee (CMO), said the government faces an uphill battle in passing its provisional measure offering alternatives to an IOF hike, especially if it only includes tax increases. “The government hasn’t really proposed spending cuts. It’s switching to revenue methods that cause less noise, but that’s not going over well,” he said. “The government has to negotiate with its own base to see what they’re willing to back. You can’t mention Fundeb [Basic education fund] or BPC [continuous cash benefit] without the PT jumping out of their seats.”

On another front, experts argue that cuts to parliamentary earmarks would send a strong message. While they believe the mechanism should be retained, they call for reforms to curb what they see as distortions in the budget process.

Last month, amid the IOF debate, Mr. Motta said congressional leaders were not “concerned” about reducing earmarks. He noted potential support for a cap—if it applies to all parties equally—but warned against “criminalizing” earmarks.

On Monday (9), after attending the Agenda Brasil seminar in São Paulo, Congressman Luciano Zucco (Liberal Party, PL, Rio Grande do Sul), leader of the opposition in the Chamber, also acknowledged the possibility of cutting earmarks, saying “Congress could lead by example.”

Political scientist Beatriz Rey, affiliated with the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Popvox Foundation, said Congress gained political power with the increase in earmarks but is not being held accountable for its share of fiscal responsibility. “The Faria Lima [financial market] crowd needs to start demanding fiscal discipline from Congress,” she said.

“Between 2015 and 2024, earmarks jumped from R$3.9 billion to R$48.3 billion. That’s an absurd increase, disproportionate to Congress’ role in the budget, encroaching on the executive’s prerogatives,” Ms. Rey added. She also called for Judiciary involvement in ending “supersalaries.”

“Congress needs to contribute directly by cutting earmarks,” said Felipe Salto, chief economist at Warren Investimentos. He supports a 50% cut starting in 2026. “Then we could consider a rule that makes earmarks, like other expenditures, subject to available fiscal space,” he suggested.

“We’re on the brink of a fiscal crisis. The situation is dire. Spending is outpacing revenue, partly because earmarks have become a new, virtually untouchable mandatory expense,” said Mr. Salto, former executive director of the Senate’s Independent Fiscal Institution (IFI).

Mr. Salto credited Finance Minister Fernando Haddad with making “a significant effort” to meet the fiscal target, while accusing Congress of “wavering.” He believes the IOF controversy is a chance for Congress and the executive to jointly define a list of measures to clean up public finances.

*By Andrea Jubé, Gabriela Guido, Joelmir Tavares and Beatriz Roscoe — Brasília and São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

 

 

06/10/2025

Adopting a shorter 36-hour workweek would primarily benefit more highly educated workers, further widening the real wage gap between them and those with lower levels of formal education. That’s the conclusion of a study by economists Fernando de Holanda Barbosa Filho and Paulo Peruchetti, researchers at the Fundação Getulio Vargas’s Brazilian Institute of Economics (Ibre-FGV).

They point out that less-educated workers already work closer to a 36-hour week— the central Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) introduced by federal deputy Erika Hilton, which seeks to end the 6 x 1 work schedule.

According to the researchers, average weekly working hours in Brazil remain below the legal cap of 44 hours, standing at 38.4 hours in 2024. But among those with no formal education or incomplete elementary schooling, the average is already 36.2 hours. The average for those with complete elementary and incomplete high school education is 37.8 hours.

The longest working hours are concentrated among those with a high school diploma and incomplete college education, averaging 39.3 hours per week. Workers with a completed higher education clock in at 38.9 hours per week.

The data challenge the assumption that those with the lowest income and educational attainment—typically the focus of advocacy for reduced work hours—are the ones working the longest. According to Mr. Barbosa Filho, this is not borne out by the evidence.

Cutting working hours without reducing pay effectively raises the hourly wage of each worker. But in this scenario, too, the researchers argue that the most qualified employees stand to gain the most.

Mr. Barbosa Filho and Mr. Peruchetti estimate that workers with a high school diploma and incomplete college education, as well as those with a college degree, would see real wage increases of 9% and 8%, respectively.

By contrast, uneducated workers and those with incomplete elementary education would see their income rise by just 0.7%. Workers with a high school diploma and incomplete higher education would gain about 5%.

In a separate analysis, Mr. Barbosa Filho had previously estimated that, considering labor as the sole factor of production, a reduction in the workweek to 36 hours would result in a 6.2% decrease in total hours worked—and, by extension, in the value added to the economy. However, the impact would vary significantly across sectors, with estimated losses ranging from 1.4% to 14.2%, according to the researchers.

Sectors with longer average work hours, they argue, would face greater adaptation costs under the proposed change.

Transportation, extractive industries, and commerce currently lead in weekly work hours, averaging 42, 41.2, and 41 hours, respectively. The researchers project that cutting working hours would reduce value added by 14.2% in transportation, 12.6% in extractive industries, and 12.2% in commerce. Public Utility Industrial Services (SIUP—which includes the production of electricity, gas, and water) would see a 10.6% reduction, while information and communication services would experience a 10.5% drop.

Conversely, the sectors expected to suffer the smallest losses are “other services”—which comprise most services provided to families—and Public Administration (APU, which covers areas like defense, social security, education, health, and social services), with declines of just 1.4% and 1.7%, respectively.

The researchers note that these sectors already operate close to a 36-hour workweek. Still, Mr. Barbosa Filho questions whether businesses in “other services”—typically small entrepreneurs—could realistically reorganize their working hours. In the case of commerce, he adds, much of the workforce relies heavily on commission-based pay, complicating the shift.

Supporters of a shorter workweek often argue that productivity gains could compensate for increased labor costs. Mr. Barbosa Filho and Mr. Peruchetti estimate that in agriculture, for instance, historical productivity growth—5.2% per hour worked between 2012 and 2024—could offset potential losses. However, they point out that agricultural productivity is well above the national average, which has remained stagnant.

According to the researchers, even a 2% increase in hourly productivity would fall short of offsetting the losses in most sectors.

For the analysis by formal qualification, the researchers note they were unable to isolate the value added by different educational groups. Instead, they used the evolution of adequate hourly wages as a proxy for productivity growth across those groups, arguing that in competitive markets, wages should reflect productivity gains.

Between 2012 and 2024, the educational group that saw the highest wage growth was composed of workers with no education and incomplete primary education, whose hourly earnings rose by an average of 0.9% per year. Those with complete elementary education and incomplete secondary education experienced a 0.5% increase. In contrast, workers with complete secondary education and incomplete higher education saw their wages fall by 0.3%, while those with a college degree saw a decline of 1.1%.

“If we consider wage gains as a proxy for productivity gains, only lower-skilled workers recorded productivity growth during the period. Therefore, it is unlikely that productivity gains will offset the rise in hourly wages resulting from a reduction in working hours,” the study states.

The researchers also stress that their findings do not account for how employers might respond to a shorter workweek. Since this would raise unit labor costs (ULC), companies could be expected to reduce hiring, potentially resulting in job losses.

ULC represents the labor cost per unit of output—that is, the share of value generated that is allocated to employee compensation, explains Guilherme Zimmermann, an economist at Bradesco. “In recent years, productivity has shown modest or virtually no growth. In contrast, ULC has been rising steadily,” Mr. Zimmermann noted in a recent report.

According to him, virtually all real wage growth in the recent period has stemmed from increases in ULC, not from productivity improvements. “This imbalance suggests that wages have been growing faster than workers’ average productive capacity, which could exert further pressure on costs and prices if it continues,” he warns.

*By Anaïs Fernandes — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com

 

 

 

06/10/2025

Fixed broadband is increasingly solidifying its position as the second-largest revenue source for the telecommunications sector in Brazil. Out of every R$10 earned by telcos in 2024, a little over R$3 was generated from fixed broadband services.

Overall, fixed internet access ranks just behind mobile telephony, which accounted for 41.2% of the sector’s gross revenue last year, or R$4.12 of every R$10 earned. This information is part of a report prepared by the telecommunications operators’ union, Conexis Brasil Digital.

According to the union, the sector’s gross revenue—adjusted by Brazil’s official inflation index, IPCA—grew by 2.7% last year compared to 2023, reaching R$318.8 billion. This growth was driven primarily by fixed broadband, but also by the strong performance of mobile telephony (with a +4% real growth) and the industry (equipment manufacturers, with +4.8%).

“What drove [this result] the most was fixed broadband, in terms of revenue. It had a real growth of 6.1%,” said Marcos Ferrari, the president of Conexis.

The mobile telephony segment, in turn, benefited from the continued expansion of 5G, Mr. Ferrari said. “We saw significant growth in the number of 5G terminals, in smartphones. We had about 20 million customers at the end of 2023 and reached 40 million by the end of 2024.”

In the same annual comparison, the number of cities with 5G coverage jumped to 812 from 352. Additionally, the total number of antennas compatible with the technology more than doubled during this period, rising to 37,000 from 18,400.

“The higher offering pushes up the demand. The more cities with 5G technology, the faster people adopt it,” Mr. Ferrari said.

Despite this, the mobile segment’s revenue has struggled to grow when examining the figures over the past five years, after adjusting for inflation. Brazil ended last year with 263.4 million active mobile phone lines, an increase of 29.3 million accesses since the end of 2020. However, the gross revenue generated by the segment in 2024 (R$131.5 billion) was lower than that recorded in 2020 (R$133.7 billion, adjusted for the IPCA).

Conversely, fixed broadband has been growing both in real gross revenue and the number of users. The total number of fixed connections increased by 43.2%, reaching 52 million, between the end of 2020 and the same period in 2024. In the same timeframe, the gross revenue rose by 29.3% in real terms, reaching R$96.7 billion.

This positive performance led to fixed broadband accounting for slightly more than 30% of the sector’s revenue last year, an increase of nearly seven percentage points compared to 2020. In contrast, the share of mobile telephony in the telecommunications revenue pie shrank, falling from 42.1% to 41.2% over the past five years.

Last year alone, the number of broadband connections via fiber optics grew by 13.5%, driven primarily by the expansion of this technology in the Northeast region (+15.7%).

The service is expected to advance further in 2025, driven by fiber optic expansion. “Fiber is not only used for fixed broadband. It’s expanding across the country to handle and transmit all the data from 5G,” Mr. Ferrari said. Fiber is also the gateway for operators to offer entertainment, security (self-monitoring), and home automation services to subscribers, among other offerings.

By April, there were 52.7 million fixed broadband accesses in the country, according to the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), up 6% year over year.

Considering only fiber connections, this percentage rises to 9.3%. The current cycle of fixed broadband expansion seems likely to continue in 2025, supported by the country’s economic growth, and extend into the coming years.

*By Rodrigo Carro  — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

 

 

06/10/2025 

Brazil’s official inflation rate slowed to 0.26% in May, down from 0.43% in April, marking the lowest reading for the month since 2023, when it reached 0.23%, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

The result came in well below the median forecast of 0.34% from 30 financial institutions and consultancies surveyed by Valor Data, Valor’s financial data provider. It also undershot the lowest estimate in the range, which spanned from 0.29% to 0.43%.

Over the 12 months through May, the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA) rose 5.32%, compared with 5.53% in the 12 months through April. Market expectations compiled by Valor Data had pointed to a 5.40% increase, with projections ranging from 5.35% to 5.51%.

Despite the slowdown, the 12-month inflation rate remains above the upper limit of the target range set by the National Monetary Council (CMN) and pursued by Brazil’s Central Bank. The inflation target for 2025 is 3%, with a tolerance margin of 1.5 percentage points in either direction.

Among the nine expenditure groups that make up the IPCA, five posted slower increases from April to May: food and beverages (from 0.82% to 0.17%), apparel (from 1.02% to 0.41%), health and personal care (from 1.18% to 0.54%), personal expenses (from 0.54% to 0.35%) and communication (from 0.69% to 0.07%).

Household goods shifted into deflation, with prices falling 0.27% after rising 0.53% in April. Housing costs accelerated from 0.14% to 1.19%. Education maintained a steady pace at 0.05%, while transportation continued in deflationary territory, moving from -0.38% to -0.37%.

The Brazilian statistics agency calculates the IPCA based on the consumption patterns of households earning between one and 40 times the minimum wage, covering 10 metropolitan regions as well as the cities of Goiânia, Campo Grande, Rio Branco, São Luís, Aracaju, and Brasília.

Less widespread increases

Inflation was less widespread in May, with the diffusion index—which measures the share of goods and services that recorded price increases—falling to 59.7%, from 66.8% in April, according to Valor Data. Excluding food, a particularly volatile component, the index dropped to 59.8% from 64.1%.

Core inflation

The average of five core inflation measures monitored by the Central Bank eased to 0.30% in May from 0.50% in April, based on estimates from MCM Consultores. Over the past 12 months, the average of these core indicators edged down to 5.17%, from 5.26%.

*By Lucianne Carneiro — Rio de Janeiro

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/

 

 

 

 

06/09/2025 

Brazil’s tax reform is beginning to influence corporate logistics strategies for new investments. The prospect of ending tax incentives and changing the point of tax collection starting in 2033 is already dampening interest in new projects in states that currently attract companies through generous fiscal benefits, according to business executives and consultants involved in the transition to the new model.

Among the states potentially affected, from the private sector’s perspective, are Santa Catarina, known for its import-related incentives; Goiás, which supports the pharmaceutical industry; Espírito Santo, which also favors imports and has attracted sectors like automotive and retail; and Minas Gerais, home to one of the most emblematic cases of tax incentives: the city of Extrema.

In Extrema, logistics operators say demand for existing warehouses remains strong, but appetite for new developments is waning.

According to Sérgio Fischer, CEO of Log CP, a developer and manager of logistics and industrial warehouses, clients have said that rental prices in Extrema were a “non-issue” and could be up to three times higher due to the significant cost reduction from tax incentives. Log CP previously owned a warehouse in Extrema but sold it and has no plans to return. “It’s a city with fewer than 60,000 residents and nearly the same amount of warehouse space as Cajamar (São Paulo), which serves Brazil’s largest city,” Mr. Fischer said.

On the other hand, demand is rising for warehouses closer to major consumer hubs such as São Paulo and Recife—a key logistics center for the Northeast—executives report.

Logistics operator Multilog, which has a R$900 million investment plan over the next three years, has decided to allocate more than half of that amount to São Paulo, largely due to the tax overhaul. “We’ve been getting many inquiries from clients who are already looking ahead to 2033. From that point forward, inventory will need to be closer to consumers. A natural realignment will take place,” said CEO Djalma Vilela.

Pedro Moreira, president of ABRALOG (Brazilian Logistics Association), said the reform is already affecting the price per square meter of fulfillment centers, which is rising around São Paulo and Recife. The Manaus Free Trade Zone, which will retain its incentives, is also drawing increased interest from companies, he said.

Indeed, prices are climbing in São Paulo, according to data from Colliers International. In Guarulhos, the average price per square meter for logistics projects reached R$37.80 in the first quarter of this year, a 16.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. In Cajamar, prices rose 8.5%, to R$31.38. Even in Extrema, prices increased to R$28.65—a 5.3% rise year over year.

According to analysts and executives, the lack of a sharp correction reflects market resilience. Mr. Fischer pointed out that cities that grew thanks to tax incentives won’t become “ghost towns” overnight, as the market will adjust based on demand-driven pricing.

Moreover, a lengthy transition period lies ahead before incentives are phased out, noted Maurício Lima, partner at logistics consultancy Ilos. “No company will relocate while it can still enjoy the benefit.” He emphasized that current impacts are limited to new projects still in the planning stages.

Under the new rules, the transition away from the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), the main instrument used by states, won’t begin until 2029 and will run through the end of 2032, noted Douglas Mota, a tax partner at Demarest. During this period, a compensation fund will reimburse companies for lost incentives.

Mr. Mota added that the reform’s impact comes not only from the loss of tax breaks, but also from the shift in the tax collection model—from the point of production or storage to the point of consumption. “They’ve tightened the screws on both ends.”

Long-term lease contracts may help smooth the transition. Mariana Hanania, director of market research at consultancy Newmark, noted that Extrema’s growth was driven largely by BTS (build-to-suit) contracts tailored to specific tenants. “These are long-term contracts with tenant guarantees,” she said, adding that new developments in those areas may now be limited.

Simone Santos, partner at consultancy Binswanger SDS, said the long timeline before the reform takes full effect still makes these regions attractive. “We’re still seeing major leases,” she noted, citing the announcement in late May of a fully pre-leased 40,000 square meters warehouse by Fulwood in Extrema.

These locations also offer other advantages, such as strong logistics infrastructure, skilled labor, established industrial ecosystems, and the local economy. Santa Catarina, for example, is expected to see limited impact, according to two executives with operations in the state.

Gustavo Serrão, CEO of Espírito Santo’s port authority Vports, acknowledged that the reform presents challenges for the state but said the government is investing in greater efficiency, and existing infrastructure supports business retention. “There’s an exit barrier. Incentives helped the state build a robust infrastructure, and the integrated supply chain is resilient,” he said. “The challenge now is to use the transition to boost productivity.” He also cited potential financial incentives from state banks to help attract investment.

The impact of the changes will vary across sectors. The most affected will likely be those in which tax considerations weighed heavily in project decisions; typically high-value, lightweight products like pharmaceuticals and electronics, Mr. Lima said. “Heavier products, like large appliances, already leaned more on logistics convenience than tax advantages.”

Some e-commerce firms and import-heavy sectors that traditionally benefited from incentives will also need to rethink their strategies, said Vilson Silva, CFO at ID Logistics.

“In 2033, the impact will be significant. From a logistics standpoint, this will be an improvement. Today, there are some irrational practices, like a client who produces in São Paulo, serves customers in São Paulo, but ships inventory to Goiás for storage, only to bring it back,” Mr. Silva said.

*By Taís Hirata and Ana Luiza Tieghi — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/