External vulnerability due to the International Investment Position and the income flows in Brazil from 2001 to 2010

Abstract:

This article presents Brazil's external financial vulnerability resulting from foreign stocks (International Investment Position) and flows of income. It analyses the Brazilian economy during the period 2001-2010 and concludes that: i) the reduction of the stock-vulnerability of the Brazilian economy, as demonstrated during the global crisis beginning in 2008, was due to a new composition of the International Investment Position, and an increase in international reserves and external liabilities denominated in the domestic currency, and these tend to suffer a double devaluation (price and exchange rates) in times of crisis; ii) net income sent abroad in this period amounted to US$ 273 billion, crystallizing the flow-vulnerability through dependence on external financing for the current account deficit; iii) variations in prices of external stocks is the most important variable in the changes of balances of the International Investment Position.

Keywords:
International Investment Position; external vulnerability; balance of payments; current account; Brazilian economy