Brazil central bank debated whether inflation risks were now neutral

BRASILIA, May 13 (Reuters) - Brazil's central bank said on Tuesday that it discussed whether the balance of risks to inflation remained slightly asymmetric, albeit less so than in the previous meeting, or whether it could already be considered neutral.

In the minutes of last week's decision, when it raised rates by 50 basis points to 14.75% and refrained from providing forward guidance, policymakers stressed that core inflation measures have remained above the value consistent with the 3% target achievement for months, "corroborating the interpretation that inflation is pressured by demand."