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Banco BTG Pactual S.A. UNITS (1 COM & 2 PRF CL'A') (BPAC11.SA)
- Reuters
Analysis: Decree adds to doubts about Mexican lithium industry's future
The Mexican government's latest move to tighten control over its potentially lucrative lithium reserves fails to resolve the puzzle of how it can lure needed private industry expertise while keeping most profits for state coffers. Last Saturday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador signed his latest presidential decree on lithium, establishing a more than 900-square-mile (235,000 hectare) lithium mining zone in northern Sonora state, stating that existing concessions within it "remain safe." But the order also declared "no mining activity can be carried out related to lithium" within this area.
- Reuters
BTG Pactual joins Brazilian lenders hit by post-Americanas provisions
Banco BTG Pactual SA on Monday became the latest Brazilian lender to be affected by bad credit provisions due to what it called a "specific, widely publicized event," likely referring to the bankruptcy of Americanas SA. BTG, which was among the most exposed lenders to the Brazilian retailer's debt, echoed measures taken by some of Latin America's largest banks and set aside billions of reais in the fourth quarter, leading to a lower-than-expected net profit. Shares in the lender rose more than 3% after the report, placing it among the top gainers on Brazil's Bovespa benchmark stock index, as it pledged to improve results this year and the provisions were somewhat expected.
- Reuters
Large Brazilian banks may set aside around $890 million for Americanas losses in Q4
Brazilian banks may start setting aside provisions for losses with retailer Americanas already in the fourth quarter of 2022, analysts say. Banks such as BTG Pactual, Bradesco,Santander Brasil, Itaú Unibanco Holding and Banco do Brasil have around 15 billion reais in loans with Americanas, according to analyst reports. Analysts estimate the banks may provision around 30% of their loans in the fourth quarter, which would be equivalent to 4.5 billion reais ($890 million), even with bankruptcy protection taking place in January, as a precautionary measure allowed by the Brazilian central bank.
