ocr: Brazilian rate cut catches markets off guard The Financial Times February 21 2002 Brazil's central bank surprised financial markets 20 devalue the Real While Wednesday's rate cut is on Wednesday night with its first interest rate cut modest and leaves infiation-adjusted interest in seven months, strengthening investor rates above 13 per cent, it could help accelerate confidence in an economic rebound this year and a - recovery in consumer confidence, which has ) easing fears of economic contagion in the region been battered by last year's power crisis and from Argentina. 25 Argentina's economi ...
