Around the World's Markets: Sao Paulo

SHARES ended weaker as profit-taking continued on the back of a calm foreign exchange market, which also drove away buyers who had sought to make money on the back of a weaker real.

The blue-chip Bovespa index lost 0.64 per cent to finish at 8,676 points, after reaching a session high of 8,897. The market bellwether, Telebras, closed down 0.79 per cent. "It's time for profit-taking. Things are no longer rough, with the real/dollar rate stabilising and interest rates steady," said a trader.