Bloomberg — Brazil’s industry rose more than forecast, boosted by the receding of the omicron wave of coronavirus that had caused a surge in infections and kept workers at home.
Output rose 0.7% in February from the month prior, more than the 0.5% median estimate from analysts in a Bloomberg survey. From a year ago, production was down 4.3%, the national statistics agency reported on Friday.
![Brazil's industrial output beats expectations in February Brazil's industrial output beats expectations in February](https://www.bloomberglinea.com/resizer/v2/QYDQGPSUQ5HWRFM3AEALBSAKQQ.png?auth=6ead3134f61f7d394ec6944359272d2b04b3126a7db4923ac8b6e718db47f297&width=1000&height=562&quality=80&smart=true)
Brazil’s industry has been buffeted by shortages of foreign inputs and the lingering effects of Covid-19. Inflation, running at nearly 11%, and tight credit conditions are also sapping demand. Now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of even higher borrowing costs are dragging further on growth.