{
  "id": 7897161,
  "title": "Brazil central bank cuts benchmark rate for fifth time in a row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/brazil-central-bank-cuts-benchmark-rate-for-fifth-time-in-a-row",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T22:56:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/17/brazil-central-bank-cuts-benchmark-rate-for-fifth-time-in-a-row"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brazil's central bank reduced its benchmark interest rate for the fifth consecutive time on Wednesday, in a bid to stimulate the economy ahead of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's re-election campaign in October. The Selic rate, currently one of the highest globally, was lowered from 14% to 13.75%, following the Federal Reserve's decision to raise rates by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4.00%. This move comes after a series of rate hikes that began in March, prompting speculation that the central bank will soon resume its gradual rate increases. The decision was made despite inflation falling within the bank's target range of 3% plus or minus 1.5 points, with the central bank cautioning that higher-than-usual risks to inflation persist, largely due to surging oil prices and uncertainty surrounding the monetary policies of other leading economies. Lula, who is contesting for a non-consecutive fourth term in the elections starting October 4th, has been advocating for lower rates to spur growth. Higher interest rates, on the other hand, make borrowing more expensive, discouraging consumption but also curbing inflation.",
  "summary": "The bank lowered the so-called Selic rate from 14% to 13.75% on the same day the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Brazil central bank delivers fifth straight rate cut, leaves next move open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/brazil-central-bank-delivers-fifth-straight-rate-cut-leaves-next-move",
        "published": "2026-09-16T22:31:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "WSJ Economy",
        "title": "Brazil’s Central Bank Lowers For Fifth Straight Meeting as Inflation Cools",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/brazils-central-bank-lowers-for-fifth-straight-meeting-as-inflation",
        "published": "2026-09-16T22:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Brazil central bank cuts benchmark rate for fifth time in a row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/brazil-central-bank-cuts-benchmark-rate-for-fifth-time-in-a-row-7900874",
        "published": "2026-09-16T22:56:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}