Brazil's economy shrinks for fifth consecutive quarter
Brazil's economy continued to shrink in the first quarter of 2016 with a 0.3% contraction.
It was the fifth consecutive quarter of contraction, official figures showed.
However, the figure was better than the 0.8% contraction predicted by economists.
As well as its worst recession in decades, Brazil is grappling with political crisis following the impeachment of president Dilma Rousseff.
The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE) also said that Brazil's GDP fell by 5.4% year-on-year - also better than the 6.1% contraction forecast by Itau Unibanco.
Earlier, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development cut its economic growth forecast for Brazil, citing political and corruption concerns.
The Brazilian economy is now expected to contract by 4.3% this year, the OECD said.