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☆ Brazil Prosecutors Push to Unwind $3 Billion Paper Deal Over Foreign Land Ownership
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Ana ManoSAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian federal prosecutors are asking a judge to unwind a 2017 deal handing control of pulp and paper company Eldorado from Brazilian firm J&F to Paper Excellence Group, citing restrictions on foreign land ownership. In 2017, J&F Investimentos agreed to sell Eldorado Brasil Celulose to a unit of Paper Excellence at an enterprise value of 15 billion reais ($3.0 billion). Brazil imposed limitations on foreign land ownership in the early 1970s, but spotty public records have left uncertainty about how consistently those restrictions are enforced. In December, Brazil's rural land agency Incra issued a recommendation saying the deal would effectively give Paper Excellence control of 14,486 hectares of rural land owned by Eldorado. Paper Excellence said Incra's opinion was not legally binding, and a judge has not ruled on the prosecutors' motion.

Persons: Ana Mano, unwind, Investimentos, Jackson Widjaja, Incra, Eldorado, Iraja Abreu, Brad Haynes, David Ljunggren Organizations: Ana Mano SAO PAULO, Reuters, Eldorado, Excellence, Eldorado Brasil, Agrarian Reform Ministry Locations: Brazil, Canada, Europe, Latin America, United States, Eldorado ., Eldorado

☆ Sigma Lithium, eyeing buyout, sues ex-CEO and daughter-in-law over trade secrets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Sigma Lithium (SGML.V), , which produces metal used in electric vehicle batteries, has sued a former co-chief executive officer, accusing him of stealing trade secrets to undermine the company's effort to sell itself. The lawsuit said Cabral-Gardner and Gardner lead a fund, A10 Investimentos, with a 44% stake in the company, with Cabral-Gardner owning 76% of the fund and Gardner owning 24%. In a July 28 interview, Cabral-Gardner said Sigma has been looking to strengthen its "unique environmentally competitive position" in the global supply chain. The case is Sigma Lithium Corp v Gardner et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Calvyn Gardner, Sigma's, Ana Cabral, Gardner, Luisa Valim, Gardner's, Valim, Cabral, Sigma, misappropriated, Jonathan Stempel, Tatiana Bautzer, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Sigma, Bank of America, Sigma Lithium Corp, Court, Southern District of, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, Vancouver , British Columbia, Brazil, U.S, Southern District, Southern District of New York, New York

☆ Exclusive: Sigma Lithium CEO says in talks with potential buyers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Ernest Scheyder | Thomson Reuters | Ernest Scheyder Is An Award-Winning Senior Correspondent Covering The Green Energy Transition | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bank of America has been Sigma's bank on retainer for some time and has been holding meetings for at least four months with parties that approach with interest in acquiring the lithium miner, Sigma CEO Ana Cabral-Gardner said in an interview. Cabral-Gardner said that while Bank of America is coordinating meetings with parties that approach Sigma, Sigma has not yet picked a bank to advise on any potential transaction. "We need to find someone to marry, and when we find someone to marry, then we choose a priest," Cabral-Gardner said, making an analogy between an M&A banker and a priest. Cabral-Gardner added that Sigma does not plan to sell the Brazilian mine separately from the company itself. Sigma has projected the mine will reach annual free cash flow of $455 million for its first phase of production.

Persons: Ana Cabral, Gardner, Cabral, " Cabral, Ernest Scheyder, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Sigma, Bank of America, Reuters, LG Energy, Bloomberg News, Tesla Inc, Vancouver, Nasdaq, Thomson Locations: Brazil, Sigma's

The world's third-largest aircraft maker after Airbus (AIR.PA) and Boeing (BA.N), Embraer bagged 13 fresh orders for commercial jets at the Paris Airshow, falling short of market estimates and previous years' levels. The 13 new orders compared with 74 secured at Le Bourget in 2019 and 28 in Farnborough last year. They also lagged some upbeat market forecasts, including expectations by JPMorgan analysts for at least 30 orders. In Paris, investors were especially disappointed by the lack of orders from the booming Indian airline market, which handled an all-time-high 500-plane transaction to Airbus and new orders to Boeing. "We believe that most of the pre-event excitement has already been adjusted in share prices," said XP Investimentos, while also rates Embraer a "buy."

Persons: Le Bourget, Gabriel Araujo, Conor Humphries, Leslie Adler Organizations: SAO PAULO, Embraer, EMBR3, Airbus, Boeing, Paris, Le, JPMorgan, American Airlines, Royal, Salam Air, Thomson Locations: China, Farnborough, U.S, Paris, Royal Jordanian, New York

☆ Brazil's Localiza launches $935.5 mln share offering to expand fleet
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAO PAULO, June 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian car rental company Localiza (RENT3.SA) said on Friday it will launch a follow-on share offering aimed at raising as much as 4.5 billion reais ($935.51 million) to expand its car fleet and service network. The primary offering will initially comprise 60.02 million new shares, Localiza said in a securities filing, but could be increased by up to 12.5% if demand allows it. Considering its closing price of 66.64 reais per share on Thursday, the offering would total around 4 billion reais, the company said. Shares of Localiza slipped around 2% after the move was announced, making it one of the biggest fallers on Brazil's Bovespa stock index (.BVSP). ($1 = 4.8102 reais)Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Steven Grattan, Louise Heavens and Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Localiza, Bradesco, BTG Pactual, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Louise Heavens, Conor Humphries Organizations: SAO PAULO, JPMorgan, UBS Brasil, Santander, Bank of America, Banco Safra, XP, Thomson Locations: Santander Brasil

☆ Brazil lifts 2023 growth outlook thanks to booming farm sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Marcela Ayres | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRASILIA, June 1 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy rebounded more than expected in the first quarter, powered by a booming farm sector and paving the way for a rosier annual outlook despite a drag from high interest rates. Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.9% in the three months through March after a revised 0.1% drop in the prior quarter, data from government statistics agency IBGE showed on Thursday. The Brazilian real strengthened 0.5% against the U.S. dollar and the benchmark Bovespa stock index (.BVSP) rose 0.6%. Goldman Sachs adjusted its 2023 GDP growth forecast to 2.6% from 1.75% after the first-quarter data, citing the additional help of net exports and inventory accumulation. XP economists indicated an upward revision of their current 1.4% growth outlook, forecasting market expectations to keep rising to the range of 2.0% to 2.5%.

Persons: Simone Tebet, Goldman Sachs, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lucas Toro, Toro Investimentos, Roberto Campos Neto, Marcela Ayres, Bernardo Caram, Brad Haynes, Steven Grattan, Sriraj Organizations: Gross, IBGE, U.S ., Finance Ministry, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Brazilian

☆ Brazil airline Gol's shares soar after unexpected Q4 net profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The surprisingly strong figures sent shares in the company soaring more than 12% in Sao Paulo morning trading, with analysts highlighting improving operating figures and strong revenue trends. The firm's shares had already jumped roughly 30% in the previous two sessions after rival carrier Azul SA predicted bluer skies ahead, driving travel-related stocks in Brazil up. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had forecast a net loss of 484.75 million reais. Quarterly net revenue totaled 4.7 billion reais, up 61.7% and above analysts' forecasts of 4.46 billion. Full-year net revenue expectations were reduced by 500 million reais to about 19.5 billion reais, but diluted earnings per share in the full year were kept at 0.3 real, the airline added.

☆ Sigma Lithium spikes 21% on report Tesla is considering a buyout of the Canadian battery-metals miner
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sigma Lithium shares jumped Tuesday after Bloomberg reported that Tesla is considering a buyout. Nasdaq-listed shares of Sigma Lithium gained as much as 21% in hitting an intraday high of $35.55. Sigma Lithium shares have surged over the past year with prices for lithium rising as demand for the metal has overtaken supply. Sigma Lithium last year said it may nearly triple lithium production at one of its projects in Brazil in 2024. Sigma Lithium's biggest shareholder, A10 Investimentos, a Brazilian private equity fund, has been gauging buyout interest from miners and carmakers, the report said.

☆ BTG Pactual joins Brazilian lenders hit by post-Americanas provisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAO PAULO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Banco BTG Pactual SA (BPAC3.SA) on Monday became the latest Brazilian lender to be affected by bad credit provisions due to what it called a "specific, widely publicized event," likely referring to the bankruptcy of Americanas SA (AMER3.SA). BTG reported a quarterly net profit of 1.64 billion reais ($314.5 million), slightly down from 1.74 billion a year earlier and below the market consensus of 2.27 billion, according to analysts polled by Refinitiv. BTG's "good cost discipline" in the quarter helped reduce the impact of the provisions, JPMorgan said. "Despite all the challenges, we expect higher returns in 2023, with greater operating leverage and possibly even higher capital and liquidity levels," BTG Chief Executive Officer Roberto Sallouti said. ($1 = 5.2151 reais)Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by David Holmes, Kirsten Donovan and Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Billionaire-backed Americanas files for bankruptcy protection, shares tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SAO PAULO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) on Thursday filed for bankruptcy protection, days after uncovering nearly $4 billion in accounting inconsistencies and amid a legal feud with creditors. In the filing, Americanas asks to exclude fintech Ame from the bankruptcy protection, as it is regulated by the central bank, and for authorization to increase its capital. Chief Executive Sergio Rial resigned last week, less than two weeks after taking the job, citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais. Andre Luzbel, head of variable income at SVN Investimentos, said the bankruptcy protection was unavoidable, noting it would be one of the largest ever in Brazil, "as complex as Oi's one." Oi SA (OIBR4.SA), a telecom firm, filed in June 2016 for Brazil's then-biggest ever bankruptcy protection and only exited it in December 2022.

☆ Brazil's Americanas mulls filing for bankruptcy, shares tank as markets see move as imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Americanas said its current cash position stands at 800 million reais ($154.25 million). "The bankruptcy protection is unavoidable and might be one of the largest ever in Brazil, as complex as Oi's one." Oi SA (OIBR4.SA), a telecom firm, filed in June 2016 for Brazil's then-biggest ever bankruptcy protection and only exited it in December 2022. Last week, chief executive Sergio Rial resigned less than two weeks after taking the job citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais. "Filing for bankruptcy protection is imminent and necessary," said Fernando Ferrer, an analyst at Empiricus Research, noting there could be a "cascade effect" of banks requesting to withhold money from the firm.

SAO PAULO, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian lenders BTG Pactual, Bradesco and Santander Brasil are among those most exposed to debt of Americanas SA (AMER3.SA), analysts' estimates showed on Monday, after the retailer obtained an injunction protecting it from creditors. Analysts at JPMorgan and Citi said in research notes that Banco Bradesco SA (BBDC4.SA) had the largest nominal exposure to the firm, while Banco BTG Pactual SA topped exposure as a proportion of loans. Considering JPMorgan's and Citi's estimates, BTG had a 1.9 billion-real exposure to Americanas, which was seen accounting for roughly 1.5% of its loans, while Bradesco had exposure of 4.7 billion reais, or 0.5% of loans. Banco Santander Brasil SA , the local unit of Spain's Banco Santander (SAN.MC), had 3.7 billion reais in exposure, or about 0.6% of loans. Sergio Rial, the outgoing Americanas chief executive who uncovered the accounting inconsistencies, is a former head of Santander Brasil, where he still serves as chairman of the board.

☆ Minority shareholders denounce Brazil's Americanas for 'multi-billion fraud'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Rodrigo Viga Gaier | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO PAULO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A group representing minority shareholders on Friday filed a complaint with Brazil's securities regulator against Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) after the retailer uncovered "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais ($3.89 billion). The Abradin association said it was denouncing Americanas for what it called a "multi-billion fraud," while also asking regulator CVM to investigate the retailer's auditor, PwC. Shares in Americanas plummeted more than 75% on Thursday, wiping out 8.4 billion reais in market value, after the company's chief executive Sergio Rial resigned, citing the discovery of inconsistencies. It's not easy to hide 20 billion reais," said Eric Barreto, a professor at Sao Paulo's Insper. Americanas has long been controlled by three Brazilian billionaires who founded 3G Capital.

SAO PAULO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Shares in Brazilian retailer Americanas SA (AMER3.SA) fell more than 75% on Thursday after its chief executive officer resigned citing the discovery of "accounting inconsistencies" totaling 20 billion reais ($3.9 billion). Rial attributed the inconsistencies to differences in accounting for the financial cost of bank loans and debt with suppliers. The outgoing CEO said Americanas would likely need a capital increase, though noted he didn't expect a short-term impact from the inconsistencies on its cash position. Analysts at Santander and JPMorgan, who rated Americanas "Neutral" and "Underweight" respectively, also forecast a major negative reaction to the news. PwC, Americanas' auditor, declined to comment on the accounting inconsistencies referred to by Rial.

REUTERS/Adriano MachadoSAO PAULO/LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Brazilian equities were higher in choppy trade on Monday, a day after thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in the capital, echoing the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington. On Friday, both had performed better after Lula said the economy may grow while government finances are kept in check. On Monday hundreds of Brazilian police in riot gear and some on horseback amassed at an encampment of Bolsonaro supporters near Brasilia's army headquarters. "I think the situation will quickly normalize," said Cristian Maggio, head of portfolio strategy at TD Securities in London. "Yet, it is an event worth keeping an eye on, as it may not be fully over just yet."

[1/2] Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro are pictured through broken glass as they hold a demonstration against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 8, 2023. REUTERS/Adriano MachadoMEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Brazilian assets may be hit by fresh volatility on Monday after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed key government buildings, echoing the U.S. Jan. 6 insurrection of 2021, analysts said. Ricardo Lacerda, founder and CEO of Brazilian investment bank BR Partners (BRBI11.SA), said he expects markets to react with volatility in the short term, especially on Monday, given the higher institutional risk. But Komura expects the markets to recover by the end of the week considering a strong institutional reaction against the rioters. While large sections of the Brazilian banking industry has tended to back Bolsonaro given his free market credentials relative to Lula's Workers' Party, the sector's main industry association roundly condemned Sunday's violence.

☆ Criticism of Lula's economic plans mounts as Brazil markets tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Gabriel Araujo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Haddad, a former mayor of Sao Paulo, took office vowing to restore public accounts and with the challenge of presenting a credible fiscal framework after Congress passed a giant Lula social spending package. Markets reacted badly to Haddad's first days in office, especially after Lula ordered a budget-busting extension to a fuel tax exemption which Haddad had publicly opposed. "Haddad learned on his first day in office that he will be a decorative figure, a sort of task worker for President Lula," the conservative daily said in an editorial. On Tuesday, markets were further rattled by remarks by Lula's social security and labour ministers. That was compounded when he said Lula's government would need to review the investor-friendly pension reform approved by Bolsonaro's administration.

☆ Brazil markets tumble on Lula's first full day in office
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Anthony Boadle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Haddad, who is seeking to dispel market fears that he might not maintain fiscal discipline, took office on Monday, pledging to control spending. "The policies remind us of Dilma Rousseff's government rather than Lula's," Gracia said, referring to Lula's handpicked successor, who was impeached while in office. Allies said Lula's newfound social conscience was the result of his 580 days in prison, Reuters reported on Sunday. Lula kicks off his third presidential term after persuading Congress to pass a one-year, 170 billion-reais increased social spending package, in line with his campaign promises. Lula spent his first day in office meeting with more than a dozen heads of state who attended his inauguration.

☆ Brazil's Oi exits bankruptcy protection after more than 6 years; shares jump
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Shares in Brazilian telecom firm Oi SA (OIBR4.SA) soared on Thursday after it revealed it was exiting bankruptcy protection, marking the closure of a restructuring process that lasted more than six years. Oi filed in June 2016 for Brazil's then-biggest ever bankruptcy protection after running out of time to reorganize operations and restructure a multibillion-dollar debt amid a harsh recession in Latin America's largest economy. After the announcement, common shares in Oi jumped as much as 53% to 0.26 real in morning trading. Analysts at Genial Investimentos said the move was positive for the firm, even though they still thought Oi was financially weakened. Guide Investimentos echoed the concern and noted that despite being postponed several times, the end of the bankruptcy protection was already expected.

Summary poll dataBUENOS AIRES/MEXICO CITY, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Brazil stocks will rally by double-digits through end-2023, despite uncertainty about new government policies as President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seeks to balance social priorities and budget constraints, a Reuters poll predicted. The benchmark Bovespa stock index (.BVSP) is set to rally 13% by end-2023 to 123,250 points from 108,976 points on Friday, according to the median estimate of 11 strategists polled Nov. 14-23. The Ibovespa (index) is still at a discount, awaiting government news," said Fernando Bresciani, research analyst at Andbank. Members of his transition group have voiced contrasting opinions on 2023 budget talks and the leadership race for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Private economists in a central bank weekly poll projected an expansion rate of just 0.7%.

SAO PAULO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Brazilian markets slumped on Thursday after the incoming administration of President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proposed exempting some 175 billion reais ($32 billion) from the spending cap on next year's budget to pay for welfare programs. Lula's transition team late on Wednesday proposed to lawmakers guidelines for a constitutional amendment that would set a spending cap waiver to secure welfare programs, though without establishing how long the waiver would last. "The stock market will fall, the dollar will rise (against the real). The dollar doesn't rise and the stock market doesn't fall because of serious people, but because of those speculating every single day," he said. Helder Wakabayashi, an analyst at Toro Investimentos, said that markets would remain pressured at least until the incoming government proposes a deadline for the spending cap waiver.

[1/2] FILE PHOTO:Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva cries while speaking during a meeting with members of the government transition team in Brasilia, Brazil November 10, 2022. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino REUTERSBRASILIA, Nov 15 (Reuters) - A dust-up among aides to Brazil's president-elect over the country's choice to lead the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is fueling concern that hardcore leftists on his team are eclipsing the influence of more market-friendly moderates. As his transition team begins its work ahead of the Jan. 1 inauguration, investors are wondering which group will be more influential in steering the two-term former president's economic policy. His appointment as coordinator of Lula's transition team was seen as good news for those hoping for market-friendly policies. SEEKING TO PLEASEInvestor concern about Lula's economic plans has been growing since last week.

Lula insisted in a speech that he would maintain fiscal discipline, but his comments added to growing investor skepticism that he would keep a lid on spending. Concerns have been mounting about Brazil's public finances after major outlays through the pandemic and this year's presidential election. But his advisers are already discussing with lawmakers how to open room for more spending outside a constitutional spending cap in order to deliver on campaign promises, including a possible "Transition PEC" amending the constitution. "The signals indicate that the spirit of the Transition PEC is very oriented around new public spending. Still, as tough policy tradeoffs loom, and with Lula's economic team still being defined, markets have grown less patient.

[1/2] Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Sao Paulo Governor candidate Fernando Haddad react at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 30, 2022. Defeated President Jair Bolsonaro had not made public remarks more than 17 hours after the race was called. Some of his key allies have recognized publicly that Lula had won the race, easing concerns of contested election results. "There will be no transition problem, even if Bolsonaro reacts badly, most of his allies have already recognized Lula's victory". Francisco Levy, chief strategist at Empiricus Investimentos, said a favorable international reaction to Lula may help markets on the short term.

☆ Lower cattle prices to fatten Brazilian meatpackers' margins, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Nayara Figueiredo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - A decline in Brazilian cattle prices this year and strong demand for the country's beef exports will widen Brazilian meatpackers' margins in the short term, according to analysts, though weakness in the domestic market could undercut those gains. "The margins of slaughterhouses that export has improved," said Alcides Torres, director of Scot Consultoria. Beef prices in Brazil have been dropping on the back of a higher number of cattle coming to market as well as the more aggressive negotiating stances adopted by foreign buyers, especially China. A weaker yuan currency has pushed China, which accounted for almost 53% of Brazilian beef purchases in September, to press for discounts from sellers in the South American nation, Safras & Mercado analyst Fernando Iglesias said. Brazil's beef exports in October have already surpassed those from the same month in 2021, according to government data.

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