July 15, 20:54

Brazil increases inflation forecast to 5.1% in 2026 due to commodity shocks

According to the MacroFiscal Bulletin from the Secretariat of Economic Policy, issued by the Ministry of Finance (Finances), recent impacts from oil and other raw material prices continue to exert pressure on consumed values in Brazil.

Inflationary Pressure Factors

The ministerial document points out that food inflation remains the main driver of pressure, fueled by the increase in fresh produce, milk, rice, and beans. Furthermore, the economic team observes the persistence of inflation in both services and industrial goods, even with the expectation of a gradual reduction predicted for the second half of this year.

The Ministry of Finance warned that a possible worsening of the El Niño climate phenomenon could pressure food prices this year and represents an additional risk for the 2027 harvest. In a press conference, the Secretary of Economic Policy, Débora Freire, highlighted that 'the main risk is hydrological,' capable of raising electricity costs in the country. Freire clarified that, so far, the Ministry of Finance is not discussing ways to mitigate the effects of El Niño.

The economic team considers that the impact of the oil shock has already generated indirect consequences on Brazilian inflation, particularly affecting the prices of services and industrial goods through increased production and logistics costs. As inflation control mechanisms, the bulletin mentions maintaining the basic interest rate at a restrictive level, slowing economic activity, and actions aimed at limiting the transfer of fuel price increases to consumers.

Regarding the tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian products, the bulletin estimates that their macroeconomic impact will be contained. The tariff measures announced by Washington in June 2026, which are still awaiting approval, include exceptions for several items, which should keep the aggregate effect on the Brazilian economy limited. The Brazilian government implemented measures since the previous year to expand credit, increase liquidity, and diversify markets for the most vulnerable sectors.

The North American market accounted for approximately 11% of Brazilian exports in 2025, corresponding to less than 2% of GDP before the tariff imposition. The economic team's assessment indicates that the diversion of some sales to other locations compensated for a considerable part of these losses. Regarding Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the growth projection for the Brazilian economy in 2026 was maintained at 2.3%, although there is a forecast of a contraction in activity in the second quarter, following a strong start to the year. This slowdown is mainly attributed to the end of the momentum generated by the record soybean harvest, which boosted the agricultural sector at the beginning of the year. Industry is also expected to reduce its pace, moving from an expansion of 1.2% to 0.8%, reflecting lower vigor in the extractive and construction industries, according to the analysis of the Ministry of Finance's economic team.

autopapo.com.brJuly 16, 02:00

ConectCar launches solution for automatic toll collection for motorcycles on Free Flow highways

ConectCar has introduced ConectCar Free Flow Moto, which is the first solution in the Brazilian market dedicated to automating the payment of motorcycle tolls on highways operating under the Free Flow system.

How the New Technology Works

This technology, which is initially being tested with a specific group of clients, eliminates the need for manual payment after passing through the toll booths and reduces the risk of motorcyclists receiving fines for non-payment.

Problems with Manual Payment

Currently, those traveling by motorcycle on Free Flow highways without a tag must identify the concessionaire responsible for the stretch, access the payment channels, and settle the toll within a maximum period of 30 days. If this period is exceeded, the situation is classified as toll evasion, according to Article 209-A of the Brazilian Traffic Code. This serious infraction results in a fine of R$ 195.23 and the addition of five points to the driver's license.

The complexity of this procedure has caused difficulties, leading the federal government to suspend over 3 million such fines at the beginning of 2026, highlighting the need that the new tool aims to solve.

How to Use the Solution

With ConectCar Free Flow Moto, the user only needs to register their motorcycle's license plate on the company's platform. Based on this registration, the system automatically identifies passage through the Free Flow stretches and charges the toll using the balance available in the ConectCar account, dispensing with any action from the driver during or after the trip.

Launch Phase and Compatibility

The service will be made available in MVP (Minimum Viable Product) format, a phase focused on validation and continuous improvement of the technology. Initially, the functionality will be limited to a selected group of clients who will receive an invitation to participate.

The solution is compatible with highways that already charge tolls for motorcycles in Free Flow, covering stretches managed by concessionaires such as CCR RioSP, Caminhos da Serra Gaúcha, and EPR Sul Minas, among others. It is important to note that it does not operate at traditional toll plazas with physical barriers, nor in parking lots.

This launch accompanies the expansion of the free flow model in the country, which currently covers more than 19 highways and has increased the demand for simpler payment methods due to the absence of booths and barriers.

ConectCar's Positioning

ConectCar reports having a presence on 100% of tolled highways and in over 1,300 parking lots nationwide. Furthermore, the company is responsible for the tag technology used by institutions such as Itaú and Porto. With this innovation, the company expands its scope beyond tag-based solutions, strengthening its position as a technology provider for urban mobility.

olhardigital.com.brJuly 16, 01:54

Nubank Customers Report Pix Service Failures on Wednesday (15)

Thousands of Nubank users reported difficulties with the platform during the night of this Wednesday, the 15th. The greatest customer dissatisfaction is related to the functioning of Pix, which was experiencing failures.

Complaint Monitoring

The Downdetector website, which monitors the real-time status of various services and platforms, registered almost three thousand complaints from Nubank users regarding these issues.

Social Media Manifestations

Social media also recorded several complaints about the Pix issue.

Entity Statements

Olhar Digital contacted both the Central Bank (BC) to verify if Pix was facing problems on other platforms, and Nubank itself. The bank informed that it is aware of a temporary instability and is actively working to restore services as quickly as possible. An official statement from the Central Bank is still awaited.

olhardigital.com.brJuly 16, 01:23

Xiaomi presents selection of smartphones with good cost-benefit available on Amazon

Xiaomi has strengthened its presence in the Brazilian market by offering devices that combine contemporary design, good performance, and ample storage capacity. For those looking for a new phone, three options from the brand have been selected, currently available on Amazon, all equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal memory.

Featured Xiaomi Models

The Redmi Note 15 was launched to reinforce Xiaomi's mid-range category, maintaining the configuration of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This setup ensures smooth navigation between applications, in addition to offering plenty of space for photos and games. Its black version gives it a sober yet stylish appearance.

Redmi 15C Options

The Redmi 15C model in Midnight Black offers an affordable alternative without compromising the robust specifications of 8GB of RAM and 256GB of ROM, making it suitable for daily use. It is recommended for those who wish to start with the Redmi line with good performance and a discreet look.

Additionally, there is the Redmi 15C in Moonlight Blue, ideal for those who prefer a touch of color. Maintaining the same RAM and storage specifications as the other models in the line, this bluish version stands out for its vibrant finish.

Availability and Notice

It is important to note that stock in promotions like these tends to sell out quickly on Amazon. Therefore, if any of these devices spark interest, it is recommended to check availability immediately. The article also informs that it contains links generated by an affiliate program, but emphasizes that this does not change the value for the consumer.