On Thursday, the dollar started strong in Brazil, gaining 0.29% to reach R$ 5.1720. The Brazilian market is particularly focused on the recently released inflation data for February, which indicated a rise of 0.70%. As a result, the twelve-month inflation rate has dropped to 3.81%, down from the previous 4.44%, highlighting a potential easing in inflationary pressures that could influence monetary policy decisions moving forward.

Meanwhile, investors in the United States are closely watching new economic indicators, including trade balance figures and weekly unemployment claims, which are expected to be around 215,000. These metrics are critical as they can signal the health of the US economy, and their implications could resonate globally, particularly influencing investors' sentiment in emerging markets such as Brazil.

In a broader international context, the price of oil has surged past $100 following a series of attacks on oil tankers in Iraqi waters. This development raises concerns about potential disruptions in the transportation and supply of oil globally, further complicating the economic landscape amidst rising inflation rates and fluctuating currencies. Such increases in oil prices can have cascading effects on various economies, prompting renewed scrutiny from market observers on how countries like Brazil will navigate these challenges, especially with their reliance on oil imports and overall economic stability in question.