Since none of the candidates received an absolute majority the winner will be decided in a runoff election on October 25 2026

Focus Online:

The situation heading into the runoff: Reports indicate that Flávio Bolsonaro, following his strong showing in the first round, enters the runoff as the slight favorite. Bolsonaro’s camp interprets the result as a clear vote for political change and a rejection of the Workers’ Party’s (PT) policies.

Crime as a central campaign issue: The focus is on domestic security. While Flávio Bolsonaro, following El Salvador’s example, advocates a hardline approach, mass arrests, and a massive expansion of prison capacity, Lula is pursuing a strategy focused on dismantling money laundering and the financial networks of organized crime.

Stern / t-online / ntv:

The role of the Bolsonaro clan: German observers highlight how the Bolsonaro family was able to consolidate its political power base despite the legal ban and the imprisonment of patriarch Jair Bolsonaro. Flávio Bolsonaro stepped in as the political heir and rallied the conservative, evangelical, and agrarian electorate solidly behind him.

Polarization and Wear and Tear: Reports describe a highly polarized “election thriller” driven largely by mutual rejection and accusations of corruption and legal feuds.

Manager Magazin / Wirtschaftsfokus:

Market Reactions and Investor Concerns: From an economic perspective, the neck-and-neck race is viewed as a source of uncertainty for emerging-market investors, the real exchange rate, and the benchmark indices on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

Economic Policy Contrasts: Lula’s platform (greater government investment, expansion of social programs, and a focus on climate protection and the rainforest) stands in contrast to Bolsonaro’s economically liberal agenda, which promises privatization, the elimination of ministries, and strict budgetary discipline.

The ETF follows suit.

Impact on the Stock Market

Experience shows that the reaction of the financial markets (particularly the benchmark Ibovespa index) and the local currency (the real) to Brazilian elections depends on several key factors:

Composition of the National Congress: For investors and bond markets, the congressional election is often just as crucial as the presidency. A fragmented parliament or a strong counterweight in Congress (such as the conservative centrist parties of the so-called Centrão) is often perceived by the markets as a check that makes it more difficult to pursue more radical economic policies unilaterally.

Fiscal policy and budget discipline: The biggest source of uncertainty for investors is Brazil’s national debt and compliance with budget rules. Signs of spending discipline and tax reforms usually lead to relief in the markets and a stronger real, while fears of expansive spending cause risk premiums to rise.

Monetary policy and interest rate trends: Since the Brazilian central bank (Banco Central do Brasil) responds to inflation and currency risks with high interest rates, the stock markets are particularly pricing in how the election results will affect future monetary policy and, consequently, the borrowing and investment costs for Brazilian companies.

Sectoral Reactions: State-affiliated companies (such as $PETR3 (-0.37%) or $BBAS14 do Brasil) generally react most strongly to changes in government, while commodity- and export-oriented companies (e.g., mining and agriculture) are more heavily influenced by global demand and exchange rates

Since none of the candidates received an absolute majority, the winner will be decided in a runoff election on October 25, 2026.

Brazil has voted