Dollar reaches R $ 5.22 due to fear of the variant of the coronavirus | economy

At 10:10, the US currency rose 2.10%, sold at R $ 5.1885. The maximum so far reached R $ 5.2250. See more quotes.

Ibovespa, on the other hand, operates in decline.

On Friday (18), the US currency closed with a rise of 0.08%, at R $ 5.0818, accumulating an increase of 0.74% in the week. In the partial of the month, however, it accumulated a drop of 4.95%. In the year it registered an increase of 26.73%.

• Know if it’s time to buy dollars

The markets reflect the rapid spread of a new coronavirus variant identified in the UK. The mutation has put some 16 million Britons under increased pressure and has led several countries to close their borders with the UK.

Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Australia have also found people infected with the new strain. According to the British government, the variant is 70% more transmittable than the original.

Oil prices fell more than 5% on Monday, the biggest daily drop since June, amid fears of a slower recovery in fuel demand.

The discovery of a new strain of the virus that causes covid-19 prompts agents to adopt a more cautious tone in business around the world, penalizing assets in emerging markets, with agents seeking greater security.

• Coronavirus mutation in the UK: what is known so far

Concerns over the mutation of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom overshadow the news that US congressmen have finally reached an agreement to launch new fiscal stimuli on the order of $ 900 billion, which will include payments of more than $ 600 for each American. (including children) earning less than $ 75,000 per year and benefits of up to $ 300 per week for unemployed valid through March 2021.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, the government’s fiscal agenda and vaccination plan dominated the market’s radar.

The projection of financial market analysts for the exchange rate at the end of 2020 fell from R $ 5.20 to R $ 5.15, according to a Focus survey published on Monday by the Central Bank. By the end of 2021, the estimate went from R $ 5.03 to R $ 5 per dollar.

Analysts raised the 2020 inflation estimate for the 19th consecutive week. The forecast went from 4.35% to 4.39%.

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