Index known as “GDP preview” fell less than expected by the market, while industrial production decreased compared to 2022.| Photo: Marcelo Andrade/Gazeta do Povo / archive

The Central Bank Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br), also known as “GDP (Gross Domestic Product) preview”, had a drop of 0.15% in March according to data released this Friday morning ( 19), by the monetary authority (see full text). The retraction was smaller than expected by the market, of 0.30%.

The performance made the index close the first quarter of the year with an advance of 2.41% compared to the previous three months, and 3.87% compared to the same period of 2022. In comparison to the last 12 months until March , the IBC-Br accumulated an increase of 3.31%.

Also this Friday (19), the IBGE released the Monthly Regional Industrial Survey, which increased by 1.1% from February to March (see full text). Brazilian industrial production grew in 11 of the 15 locations analyzed, with emphasis on Mato Grosso (9.3%), Amazonas (8.7%) and Pernambuco (8.1%).

The result, however, points to a drop of 0.4% in the quarterly index compared to the same period last year, with a decrease in 13 of the 18 locations surveyed by the institute.