Brasília, 12/2/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Market expectations for inflation and interest rates improved slightly last week, according to the latest Central Bank survey, Focus, which surveys banks and financial institutions. For the last five weeks the market has been revising its estimates on inflation downward with the result that the latest Focus Bulletin found the estimate was for the Broad Consumer Price Index to close out the year at 9.19% (at the beginning of November it was 9.69%).

Market estimates for year end interest rates were also lower, now at 16.5%, down from 17%. (AB)