Real Trouble Real Trouble Subject Currency Union Topic International Finance Key Words Currency union, monetary policy, unemployment News Story Brazil's currency, the real, was devalued in January of this year. The central bank allowed the real to float in the foreign-exchange market. As a consequence, the real initially lost about 40 percent of its value, plunging to more than 2.00 reals to the dollar. The real started to gain in value but has recently come under pressure, falling for the first time since March, to the 2.00 reals per dollar level.
Forecasts are for pressure on the real to ease.
The real has been falling in value in recent months due in part to dollar buying by the government to meet its foreign debt obligations and data showing that wholesale prices have risen. Brazil has refinanced its Brady bonds, and its hard-currency reserves will increase as a result. Government balance sheets continue to show signs of improvement. Exchange rate fluctuations do not seem to be a major concern of Brazil's central bank. Wholesale prices, although on the rise, have not translated into retail price increases.