Brazil's Inflation Cools Slightly in May

Brazil's Inflation Slows in May: IPCA-15 Rises 0.36%, Driven by Energy Costs Brazil's inflation rate showed signs of easing in May, with the IPCA-15 index, a leading indicator of inflation, rising by 0.36%. This is a decrease from the 0.43% increase seen in April. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) attributed the May increase primarily to a surge in residential electricity prices, a consequence of changes in the tariff system. "The increase in energy costs significantly impacted the overall inflation figure," stated an IBGE spokesperson. Despite the slight rise, the 12-month accumulated inflation rate stands at 5.40%, a decrease from the 5.49% recorded in April. This suggests a potential cooling of inflation in the country. The report offers a glimmer of hope for consumers and the Brazilian economy as a whole.