Brazil: Ibovespa Soars on Softer-Than-Expected Inflation.

The Ibovespa jumped 3% to close at 177,866 on Friday after Brazil's inflation data came in below expectations. Annual inflation eased to 4.64% in June from 4.72% in May, below market forecasts of 4.80%, bringing it closer to the BCB's target range of 1.5%-4.5%. The softer inflation reading pushed bond yields lower and strengthened expectations that the central bank could adopt a more dovish stance. Financial stocks led the rally, with Itau up 4%, Bradesco gaining 4.8%, and both Itausa and B3 advancing 4.3%. Utilities also moved higher, with Axia adding 4.6% and Sabesp rising 3.6%. Meanwhile, CSN Mineracao soared 8.3% and CSN jumped 7.9% after Citi said the company should benefit from the stronger performance of its steel and cement segments.