Brazil’s annual inflation increases above the central bank’s target range in May, adding pressure on expectations for further interest-rate cuts. Multiple outlets report that inflation reaches 4.72% in May, breaching the upper limit of the official target band for the first time since October. The central bank’s inflation target is 3%, with a permitted range that extends up to 4.5%. Sources attribute the month’s rise mainly to higher prices for food and drink, while transportation costs ease. The development comes as Brazil’s central bank is scheduled to meet next week, and analysts and reporting emphasize that the latest inflation reading reduces room for policymakers to cut rates further. Overall, the figures signal a more challenging path for bringing inflation back within target, as food-related price pressures offset signs of stabilization in some other categories.