26.02.201811:04:00UTC+00BRAZIL: Interest Rate Forecast For 2018 Remains At 6.75% Per Year

Economists polled by the Brazilian central bank kept their estimates for the country's benchmark interest rate (Selic) unchanged at 6.75% at the end of 2018 for the ninth consecutive week. The forecast for the average rate in 2018 remained at 6.75% for the tenth week in a row.

For 2019, estimates remained at 8.00% for the sixth week, while the forecast for the average rate next year decreased to 7.83%, after two weeks at 7.88%.

Earlier this month, the Brazilian central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) cut the country's benchmark interest rate to 6.75% - a record low - from 7.00%, in line with market expectations.

The Brazilian Central Bank also flagged that it might interrupt the current easing cycle in its next meeting, scheduled to March.