A nice starter piece for those who are not familiar with the Brazilian story - with a fair share of progress, opportunities, and challenges. After a tremendous 2009, the Brazilian market has essentially been flat in 2010; creating potential for some upside in 2011 - if the moves to contain inflation by raising rates don't cause too many dislocations.

13 minute video

For decades, the joke about Brazil has been that it's the country of the future - and always will be. Despite enormous natural resources, it has long displayed an uncanny ability to squander its vast potential. Now it's beginning to look like Brazil may have the last laugh.

Correspondent Steve Kroft reported, while most of the world is consumed with debt and unemployment, Brazil is trying to figure out how to manage an economic boom. It was the last country to enter the Great Recession, the first to leave it - and is poised to overtake France and Britain as the world's fifth-largest economy.

[Aug 9, 2010: CNNMoney - Is the Party About to End in Brazil?]

[July 14, 2010: Rio Gains on Sao Paolo]

[Jun 9, 2010: Brazil GDP Grows at "China Like" 9% in First Quarter]

[May 21, 2010: The Economist - Brazil: Too Much Government Spending?]

[Oct 20, 2009: Ben Bernanke's Money Printing Parade Forces Brazil to Slap a Tax on Outside Investors]

[Oct 27, 2009: Goldman Sachs - "Hazardous" to Underweight Brazil]

[Sep 23, 2009: Brazil's Credit Rating Raised to Investment Grade]

[Aug 11, 2009: BW - Brazil's Coming Rebound]

[May 16, 2008: Brazil is Sexy]

