**Current USD/BRL levels near 4.98 reflect real appreciation driven by Brazil’s still-elevated Selic rate at 13.75% and narrowing but positive interest-rate differentials versus the Fed, alongside pre-election positioning that boosted the real ahead of the late-October presidential runoff.** Persistent inflation—4.58% year-over-year in September and market expectations holding at 5.22% for full-year 2026, above the 4.5% target ceiling—has tempered the pace of Copom easing, with the policy rate now projected at 13.25% by year-end. Hawkish Fed signals and global dollar strength, coupled with moderating Brazilian GDP growth forecasts around 1.8–2.2%, limit further real gains. Key near-term catalysts include the November and December Copom meetings, fresh IPCA releases, and any fiscal consolidation signals that could influence capital flows and the exchange rate path through year-end.