In Brazil, General Motors Co has been halting factories and laying off thousands. Latam Airlines, the region's biggest, is cutting flights. And the world's third-largest planemaker, Embraer SA, is delaying its biggest new aircraft.
In the midst of its deepest economic and political crisis in a generation, Brazil is contending with a business climate so punishing that major projects across numerous sectors are being frozen or shrunk, while small businesses slash prices and shift focus.
"Political instability is enormous, and it's paralyzing Brazil," said Eduardo Fischer, co-chief executive officer at homebuilder MRV Engenharia & Participacoes SA, in an Aug. 5 interview. In Brasilia, the nation's capital, "decisions and actions that need to be taken are being delayed, questioned or defeated, and nothing happens."
Even luncheonettes are hurting. Carambola's, a juice and sandwich shop in Sao Paulo's financial district, saw a 30 percent drop during lunch starting a couple of months ago. The corner store fired two employees, and closes earlier as customers stop coming in after-hours.
"People are bringing lunch from home," Rafael Bruno da Silva, the afternoon manager, said on a recent day as a lone customer sipped coffee. "We've lowered the prices of juice, but it doesn't seem to be making much of a difference."
