Robert Besser
25 Feb 2021, 19:54 GMT+10
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Shares of state-owned oil company Petrobras fell 22 percent on Monday, wiping out $13 billion in market value.
In response, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro complained about the company's pricing policies, as he replaced the company's market-friendly CEO, Roberto Castello Branco, with retired army general Joaquim Silva e Luna.
After a series of analyst downgrades, the selloff accelerated as Bolsonaro said the company's fuel policy was only assisting financial markets and select groups in Brazil and should, instead, focus on bringing about lower gasoline and diesel prices for consumers.
Further difficulties were reported as shares in state electric company Eletrobras also fell on Monday, responding to Bolsonaro's statement that it would be the next sector in which the government would "stick its finger".
Worldwide, Credit Suisse, Santander, Scotiabank, Bank of America, Bradesco and XP analysts also downgraded their recommendations to purchase Brasileiro SA, as the Rio de Janeiro-based producer is known.
"A good reputation is hard to earn and easy to lose," BTG bank analyst Thiago Duarte said in a note to clients.
In response to the falling oil stock, Brazil's bonds suffered losses, as the 2043 bond fell 7.6 cents to trade at a seven-month low of 98 cents on the dollar.
Following this, Morgan Stanley removed its "like" recommendation on Brazil's sovereign bonds on Monday.
Meanwhile, retired general Silva e Luna, who lacks oil and gas industry experience, said in an interview that he does not have an opinion on the eventual privatization of the company.
Get a daily dose of Japan Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.
More InformationWASHINGTON D.C.: A U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will conduct hearings this week on a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting programs ...
Brussels has been the focus this week of a full court diplomatic offensive by U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken ...
Beijing [China], April 15 (ANI): After the United States restricted trade with seven Chinese supercomputing centres, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ...
Hong Kong, April 15 (ANI): Amid fresh attacks from a pro-Beijing camp, Alison Friedman, the artistic director of performing arts ...
New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): In view of the rapid surge in coronavirus cases in India, the Central government ...
New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday congratulated Indian Air Force for its befitting ...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Shares in Australia and Japan made cautious gains on Thursday, while in mainland China and Hong ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Cracking the whip against Big Tech, including the five largest U.S. tech companies, Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks had a volatile day Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrials index hit a new ...
BEIJING, China: China's competition watchdog, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), plans to add more staff and resources as ...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Stocks in Asia were on the mend on Wednesday in mainland China, Hong Kong and Australia, ...
GENEVA, Switzerland: Piaget, the luxury watch brand from Switzerland, will be opening more stores in 2021, especially in the Middle ...