Domestic industry sales in Brazil increased 1.82% in September compared to August, in the series free from seasonal influence. During the same period, employment in the sector saw a 0.24% increase, and production hours worked grew by 0.20%.
The data are from the Industrial Indicators survey, published by the National Industry Confederation (CNI).
"The numbers show that the situation is improving," said the managing executive at the CNI Research, Evaluation and Development Unit, Renato da Fonseca.
Quarterly indicators attest to the expansion of activity. In the third quarter this year, sales increased 1.9%, twice as much as the 0.87% rate recorded during the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the foreign investment balance for the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) was positive, closing at 639 million reais (US$ 298.3 million) during the first 20 days in October.
The figure is a result of share purchases worth 12.1 billion reais (US$ 5.6 billion) by foreigners, and of 11,5 billion reais (US$ 5.3 billion) in sales.