Brasília, 7/19/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Central Bank's weekly market survey (Focus) found that estimates for year-end inflation (based on the Broad Consumer Price Index - IPCA) have risen slightly from 7.05% to 7.08%.

Market estimates for GDP growth and the foreign trade surplus also rose (the survey closed on Friday, July 16). Estimates for GDP growth rose from 3.52% to 3.75%, and the estimates for the foreign trade surplus rose from US$28 billion to US$29 billion (following good news on the current account situation).

Translator: Allen Bennett