After a lackluster close to 2010, Brazil’s exchange traded funds (ETFs) are ready to get going. There’s a new president, growth-friendly economic policies and a middle class that continues to emerge.
For starters, Brazil’s central bank estimated gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.5% in the country in 2011. Some are even more bullish than that: Xinhua Net reports that Brazil’s GDP growth in 2011 will reach 7.6%.
Economists are calling for industrial production to rise 5.3% while the annual basic interest rate is forecast to rise to 12.25% from the present 10.75% until the end of 2011. [Is Brazil ETF a Smart Investment?]
Don Dion for The Street reports that Brazil’s strong exposure to global energy and the commodity market will further boost the growing middle class. The country is considered a major engine for growth on the global stage. [5 ETFs to Play Surging Copper Demand.]
Deborah Levine for MarketWatch reports that Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, claims she will continue in her predecessor’s footsteps with successful economic policies. She has previously reassured investors that she is not looking to become less business friendly in trying to pursue a domestic agenda, including supporting a rapidly-growing middle class. Likewise, she is interested in continuing the country’s current business cycle.
It seems like there’s little Brazil can do wrong these days. If the president keeps her word about those economic policies and the country’s middle class gets stronger, look to small-caps in particular to ride the wave – Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSEArca: BRF) and iShares MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index Fund (NYSEArca: EWZS) are your two options on that front.
Feeling extra bullish? Check out ProShares Ultra MSCI Brazil (NYSEArca: UBR).
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.