LatinNews Daily - 25 February 2026

*Brazil’s central bank (BCB) has released its latest figures for the country’s balance of payments, showing a current account deficit of US$8.4bn in January 2026, which is up from the monthly deficit of US$3.4bn in December but down from the deficit of US$9.8bn registered for January last year. The accumulated annual deficit for the 12 months through January this year stood at US$67.6bn (2.92% of GDP), which is down from US$69.0bn (3.03% of GDP) in the 12 months through December and down from the deficit of US$72.4bn (3.35% of GDP) registered for the 12 months through January 2025. The trade balance in goods in January this year showed a surplus of US$3.5bn, up from the surplus of US$1.4bn in January 2025. Exports totalled US$25.3bn and the monthly import value stood at US$21.8bn. Foreign direct investment (FDI) totalled US$8.2bn in January 2026, up from US$6.7bn in January 2025.