Brazil's central bank calls auction to buy dollars

SAO PAULO, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's central bank offered to buy dollars on the spot foreign exchange market on Tuesday in an ongoing effort to boost international reserves and soak up greenbacks pouring into the economy.

The bank has bought about $20.78 billion on the spot market since May 8, including $6.518 billion in the month of October through Oct. 23, to soak up dollar liquidity and prevent further appreciation of Brazil's currency, the real.

Brazil's currency (BRBY) was trading 0.17 percent stronger at 1.753 per U.S. dollar shortly after the central bank's announcement. (Reporting by Silvio Cascione; Writing by Luciana Lopez; Editing by Andrea Ricci)