Around the World's Markets: Sao Paulo

SHARES ended up 2.3 per cent as a weak currency enhanced their dollar value, but rumours of new economic measures unnerved markets at the close. The Bovespa index ended at 8,172 points.

Speculation was rife that the government could call Monday a bank holiday and release new economic measures. Despite denials, people rushed to withdraw savings from banks on reports that the government could freeze deposits on Monday as part of a debt restructuring.