Letras Financeiras do Tesouro Nacional (LFTs), also known as Treasury Financial Bills, are Brazilian government bonds considered among the safest and most liquid fixed-income investments available in Brazil. They are issued by the National Treasury (Tesouro Nacional) and are designed to finance the government’s short-term debt. Understanding their characteristics and how they function is crucial for any investor looking to diversify their portfolio or profit from movements in Brazil’s benchmark interest rate, the Selic.
Principal Characteristics:
- Post-fixed Return: LFTs offer a post-fixed return linked to the Selic rate. This means the interest earned is directly proportional to the Selic rate’s performance during the investment period. This protects investors from inflation and ensures their investment keeps pace with the overall interest rate environment in Brazil.
- Short-Term Maturity: LFTs generally have shorter maturities compared to other government bonds like NTN-B (linked to inflation) or NTN-F (pre-fixed). This makes them suitable for investors with a shorter investment horizon or those seeking lower volatility.
- Daily Liquidity: LFTs boast excellent liquidity, allowing investors to buy and sell them on the secondary market almost daily. The National Treasury also guarantees liquidity by offering to repurchase the bonds at market prices through its online platform, Tesouro Direto.
- Low Risk: As Brazilian government bonds, LFTs are considered very low risk. The likelihood of the government defaulting on its debt is extremely low, making them a safe haven for investors.
How LFTs Work:
When you invest in an LFT, you are essentially lending money to the Brazilian government. In return, the government promises to repay the principal amount plus interest calculated based on the prevailing Selic rate at the time of payment. The exact calculation involves the average DI rate (a daily interbank deposit rate closely tracking the Selic), plus a small spread determined at the time of the bond’s issuance.
The price of an LFT fluctuates daily, influenced by expectations surrounding future Selic rate movements. If the market anticipates the Selic rate to increase, the price of LFTs tends to decrease (and vice-versa). However, since the return is tied to the actual Selic rate, these price fluctuations typically have a minimal impact on the overall return if held until maturity. Selling before maturity, however, exposes the investor to market risk.
Investing in LFTs:
You can invest in LFTs through two main channels:
- Tesouro Direto: This is the National Treasury’s online platform, designed for individual investors. It offers a convenient and affordable way to buy and sell LFTs directly, without the need for a broker.
- Brokerage Firms: You can also invest in LFTs through brokerage firms. While this may involve additional fees, brokers can provide personalized advice and access to a wider range of investment products.
Taxation:
Like other fixed-income investments in Brazil, LFTs are subject to income tax, levied according to a regressive scale based on the holding period:
- 22.5% for investments held up to 180 days
- 20% for investments held from 181 to 360 days
- 17.5% for investments held from 361 to 720 days
- 15% for investments held for more than 720 days
Furthermore, IOF (Tax on Financial Operations) applies to investments redeemed within 30 days.
Conclusion:
LFTs are a valuable tool for Brazilian investors seeking a safe, liquid, and transparent investment that tracks the Selic rate. They are particularly suitable for short-term goals and as a hedge against rising interest rates. Before investing, it is important to consider your individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.