Fitch keeps the Brazilian credit rating at BB, with negative outlook

Fitch Ratings reinforced Brazil’s credit rating on ‘BB’, with a negative outlook. That is, with the possibility of the classification being revised downwards in the future.According to the agency, the country’s ratings is limited by the structural weaknesses in public finances and high government debt, weak growth prospects and weaker governance indicators than the country’s peers, in addition to the recent history of political instability.

These weaknesses, Fitch added, are offset by the economic diversity of Brazil and consolidated civil institutions.

The negative outlook reflects the continuity of uncertainties related to the sustainability and strength of the Brazilian economic recovery, the prospects for medium-term debt stabilization and the progress of the legislative agenda, especially the pension reform.

Fitch expects a modest cyclical recovery in Brazil, with growth accelerating from 0.6% in 2017 to an average of 2.6% during 2018 and 2019. Consumption began to recover, sustained by lower inflation, which drives wage gains, stabilization of the unemployment rate and a recovery of consumer credit. A recovery in investment is also expected in the coming years.

According to the agency, the risks that can cause the government not to reach its fiscal goals in the short term include a weaker economic recovery and the difficulty in cutting public spending, especially in the election year. The implementation of the pension Reform and other adjustments will be necessary to ensure that expenditures meet the target in the medium term.

Fitch projects that Brazilian public debt will continue to grow during the forecasted period, even taking into account the impact of the National Treasury’s loan payments anticipated by the National Development Bank (BNDES) between 2017 and 2018. The agency projects that debt will reach 76% of GDP in 2017 (above the median of the “BB” countries, 45%) and advance to 80% in 2018.

Brazil’s current account deficit is expected to fall below 1% in 2017, according to Fitch projections, and should remain below 2% in the period projected by the agency. The deficit fell 80% during the first nine months of 2017, compared to last year, with the growth of the trade surplus.