The growth of covid-19 cases in Europe and the uncertainties about the US economy have put the dollar back under pressure. The US currency closed at its highest value in a fortnight, still above R$ 5.60. The stock market fell for the first time in three days.

Up for the third straight session, the dollar closed Thursday (15) at R$ 5.624, up R$ 0.027 (+0.36%). The currency is at its highest level since October 2, when it closed at R$ 5.667.

The dollar opened up sharply, reaching R$ 5.64 in the first minutes of trading. The currency, however, lost speed throughout the day, alternating highs and lows throughout the afternoon, until it rose again near the end of trading.

In the stock market, the B3 Ibovespa index closed Friday down 0.28% to 99,054 points. The indicator dropped as much as 1.57% around 10:15 a.m., but showed a slight reaction and operated close to stability during the afternoon.

Abroad, an unexpected rise in weekly unemployment claims in the United States reinforced concerns about the recovery of the planet’s largest economy. There is also the stalemate in negotiations in the US Congress on a new stimulus package of Corona Millionaire.

President Donald Trump said he was willing to increase the aid package to reach an agreement with the Democratic opposition, but the idea was rejected by his Republican colleague and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell. The increase in restrictions imposed by European governments to contain the advance of coronavirus cases also casts doubt on the duration of the pandemic.

The impact of the external scenario, however, has been mitigated by the release of economic data by the Central Bank. In August, economic activity was up 1.06%, according to the Central Bank’s Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br).