Good morning! Petrobras tries to show independence from political meddling. Big takes from the Economy Minister. Watering down the pension reform.
Petrobras tries to show independence from political meddling
In an effort to end the latest crisis around its pricing policy, Petrobras announced a 4.8% bump on diesel prices (roughly BRL 0.10/liter). CEO Roberto Castello Branco assured investors of the company’s political independence, but the fact that the hike is smaller than the one Petrobras tried to implement last week (which was blocked by President Bolsonaro) suggests the pricing policy is not entirely immune to the political climate.
Mr. Castello Branco also announced that further price bumps may come at intervals longer than 15 days, depending on “what the company deems to be appropriate.” Between 2016 and 2018, the company’s prices were pegged to international rates, changing almost on a daily basis. That helped Petrobras to recover from a profound financial crisis, but also sparked the truckers’ strike in May 2018.
Markets’ first response was positive: after the announcement, Petrobras shares on the New York Stock Exchange rose 2.8% in the aftermarket. But analysts demanded more transparency in the company’s...