Around the World's Markets: Sao Paulo

THE BENCHMARK Bovespa index fell for the second successive day, with analysts growing increasingly pessimistic about the outlook for the country's financial health.

There was further profit-taking, amid continued dollar outflows, and investors withdrew from the market before the three-day trading break.

The Bovespa index of leading shares closed 132 points or 1.8 per cent lower at 7,189, off a low of 7,048 points, on low turnover. The real eased slightly to 1.72 to the dollar. Traders said dollar outflows continued to be a concern.