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Ibovespa drops 7.22% in May, worst month since 2023 with R$ 8 billion foreign outflow

2 sources · 30 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

The Ibovespa closed May down 7.22%, ending at 173,787 points on Friday, May 29. It's the largest monthly loss since February 2023, when the index fell 7.49%, according to B3 data. The movement coincided with a net outflow of R$ 8 billion from foreign investors in the Brazilian stock exchange during the month.

Press quotes (2)
IstoÉ

"O Ibovespa fechou em queda nesta sexta-feira, 29, acumulando a sétima semana negativa seguida e confirmando o pior desempenho mensal desde 2023"

IstoÉ

"o Ibovespa caiu 0,73%, a 173.787,49 pontos, somando uma perda de 1,37% na semana e de 7,22% em maio"

According to B3 data, international investors' balance remains positive in 2026 at R$ 53.9 billion. In May, however, the movement reversed: the balance between stock purchases and sales is negative at R$ 8 billion. Other data point to even larger outflows — through May 20, foreign investors withdrew more than R$ 9.64 billion from B3, according to consulting firm Elos Ayta.

Press quotes (2)
Folha

"Segundo dados da B3, o saldo dos investidores internacionais segue positivo em 2026, em R$ 53,9 bilhões. Em maio, contudo, o movimento é de reversão: o saldo entre compras e vendas de ações está negativo em R$ 8 bilhões."

Exame

"Até o dia 20 de maio, investidores estrangeiros retiraram mais de R$ 9,64 bilhões da da B3, segundo a consultoria Elos Ayta"

The index accumulated seven consecutive weeks of decline, the longest negative streak since April-May 2004. Considering the historical series back to 1982, the Ibovespa has never fallen for more than seven consecutive weeks, according to LSEG data. The dollar, meanwhile, rose 1.82% in May, the largest monthly gain since July 2025.

Press quotes (2)
IstoÉ

"A série de perdas semanais é a maior desde uma sequência também de sete quedas entre abril e maio de 2004. De acordo com dados da LSEG, considerando a série histórica até 1982, o Ibovespa nunca caiu por mais do que sete semanas consecutivas"

Exame

"Já o dólar teve a maior alta mensal desde julho de 2025, subindo em maio 1,71%"

Strategists attribute the correction to capital rotation back to the technology sector in the United States and Asia, along with prospects of a slower cycle of Selic cuts and uncertainties about the electoral scenario. UBS cut its recommendation on Brazilian stocks from "attractive" to "neutral" this week, citing a change in the risk-return profile.

Press quotes (2)
IstoÉ

"Estrategistas têm apontado que o desempenho de maio reflete uma rotação de volta para o setor de tecnologia nos EUA e Ásia, bem como perspectiva de um ciclo de cortes mais lento da Selic e incerteza com o cenário eleitoral"

IstoÉ

"O UBS cortou a recomendação das ações brasileiras de "atrativas" para "neutra" nesta semana, citando uma mudança no perfil de risco versus retorno"

1. What we know (1)

May was the worst month for Ibovespa since February 2023

2 sources Exame IstoÉ
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (1)

US classified PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations

Reported by: Exame IstoÉ

Conflicting versions (1)

Exact volume of foreign capital outflow in May

1 source — "Net outflow of R$ 8 billion in May (B3 data)": Folha
1 source — "Outflow of more than R$ 9.64 billion through May 20 (Elos Ayta)": Exame
1 source — "Negative balance of R$ 14.1 billion through May 27": IstoÉ
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What is the sectoral breakdown of foreign capital outflow — which sectors were most affected?

    Why it's still unknown: No outlet specified which sectors or individual stocks suffered the greatest selling pressure from foreigners

    Did not cover: Exame IstoÉ
  • What was the median market expectation for the Ibovespa in May?

    Why it's still unknown: Articles did not cite Focus projections or analyst expectations for stock market performance in the period

    Did not cover: Exame IstoÉ
  • Is there statistical evidence of structural break in the Ibovespa series or is the movement within normal volatility?

    Why it's still unknown: No source applied formal significance tests or confidence intervals for the decline

    Did not cover: Exame IstoÉ

All sources

2