Brazil's currency strengthened to about 5.05 per US dollar on 19 October as two separate runoff polls pointed to a tight race between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Economists trimmed their year-end forecasts for the real as investors weighed the outcome of the 25 October vote. The currency move highlights how closely markets are tracking Brazil's presidential runoff.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and rival candidate Flávio Bolsonaro traded accusations of lying and corruption in their first televised runoff debate on Sunday. The clash, broadcast a week before the October 25 vote, centered on public spending, the economy, security and healthcare.

Difference between French and German borrowing costs widens after public buildings burned and shops looted

France has been hit by a fresh wave of selling in its bond and stock markets after violent protests over the weekend led to thousands of arrests and left public buildings burned and hundreds of shops looted across the country.

The chaos has spooked investors as analysts worried that it would undermine Paris’s efforts to cut spending and reduce its debt.

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© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images

Difference between French and German borrowing costs widens after public buildings burned and shops looted

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France has been hit by a fresh wave of selling in its bond and stock markets after violent protests over the weekend led to thousands of arrests and left public buildings burned and hundreds of shops looted across the country.

The chaos has spooked investors as analysts worried that it would undermine Paris’s efforts to cut spending and reduce its debt.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: SDIS 87/AFP/Getty Images