Business · Economy · 4 hrs ago
Brazilian federal state-owned companies post record September deficit
Brazil’s federal state-owned companies recorded a R$2 billion deficit in September, the largest for that month in the Central Bank’s data series, which began in 2001.
Their deficit reached R$8.5 billion from January to September, also a record for that period.
The Central Bank’s measure excludes Petrobras and federal financial companies such as Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal.
The struggling postal service Correios is part of the picture: it reported a R$2.4 billion loss in the second quarter, although that was smaller than its loss a year earlier.
Correios is undergoing a restructuring after a severe financial crisis, and the Treasury approved a guarantee for a new R$7 billion loan requested by the company.
A deficit does not by itself show whether a company is financially unsound, government members argue, and the Central Bank says its data cannot separate routine spending from investment.
The companies’ finances remain under scrutiny, with the government’s view and the record deficit highlighting different ways to assess their performance.
Brazilian federal state-owned companies recorded a primary deficit of R$2 billion in September, the worst nominal result for that month since the historical series began in December 2001.
The Central Bank released the figures on October 29.
The companies’ deficit reached R$8.5 billion from January to September, also a record in the Central Bank’s series.
The Central Bank’s figures exclude Petrobras and federal financial companies such as Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal.
Government members say a deficit alone does not show whether a company is financially unsound.
- Who
- Brazilian federal state-owned companies.
- What
- They recorded a primary deficit of R$2 billion in September, a record for that month in nominal terms.
- When
- September; the Central Bank released the data on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Federal state-owned companies last recorded a September surplus, of R$1.3 billion.
Their September deficit was R$751 million.
They recorded a R$2 billion primary deficit.
The Central Bank released the figures.
- September deficit
- R$2 billion
- January–September deficit
- R$8.5 billion
- Historical series began
- December 2001
- September 2025 deficit
- R$751 million
- Companies excluded from Central Bank figures
- Petrobras and federal financial companies, including Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal
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What people are saying
Looking at companies, this can make a big difference. Today’s investment is an expense that reduces cash, but if it is done well, if it is productive, it allows spending to increase in the future.