Brasília – Brazilian companies which invest in foreign countries posted US$ 3.474 billion in profits and dividends from January to May this year. The figure is much higher than in the same period of 2011, when earnings stood at US$ 600 million. In all of last year, earnings reached US$ 1.804 billion.
According to the head of the Central Bank’s Economic Department, Tulio Maciel, the increase in profits and dividends is “certainly a result of profits accumulated” by the companies over time. “Right now, the portfolio of Brazilian investment abroad amounts to US$ 200 billion. It is only natural that eventually it would revert to profits and dividends,” Maciel added. According to Central Bank figures, the portfolio stood at US$ 238.246 billion in May.
On the other hand, remittances of profits and dividends from companies in Brazil to their parent companies abroad are declining. According to Maciel, the reason is the slowing down of economic activity, which leads to lower profit margins. Besides, according to him, the exchange rate at higher levels raises costs of remittance and thus discourages it.
From January to May, remittance of profits and dividends to foreign countries reached US$ 11.918 billion, as against US$ 15.304 billion in the same period of last year. From January to May, net remittances of profits and dividends (issued minus received) reached US$ 8.444 billion, 42% less than in the same period of last year (US$ 14.704 billion). In May alone, net remittances stood at US$ 2.55 billion. From June 1st to 20th, remittances amounted to US$ 517 million.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
