Brazilian currency gained on Friday after rallying in the previous session on heavy dollar inflows, while stocks fell before options expire on key shares on Monday. The real strengthened 0.22 percent to 2.714 reais a dollar, while the Bovespa index of the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange fell 0.8 percent to 27,861 points.
After a series of heavy interventions, the central bank refrained from buying dollars on the spot market on Thursday under a plan introduced in December to rebuild foreign reserves. It may again refrain from buying dollars on Friday, traders said.