Brazil stocks fall as European worries ramp up

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — Stocks across key Latin American markets fell Monday, hurt by a worsening outlook for any resolution to Europe’s long-running debt crisis.

Brazilian Businessmen Are The Third Most Optimistic in The World.

According to the International Business Report (IBR) 2012 Grant Thornton International, 74% of Brazilian businessmen are optimistic about the Brazilian economy in 2012.

Brazil’s Central Bank Signals it Will Lower Interest Rates to Below 10%

Brazil’s central bank said there is a “high” chance its benchmark rate will drop below 10 percent, signaling it remains focused on spurring economic growth even as record-low unemployment pressures consumer prices. Yields on interest rate futures plunged.

Rousseff to visit Cuba, focus on post-embargo era

(Reuters) - Some forty years ago, Dilma Rousseff was a guerrilla fighter working clandestinely to bring a version of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's communist revolution to Brazil.

Latin America Currencies Gain From Euro Woes: Chart of the Day

Latin American currencies are beating their high-yielding European peers as improving U.S. economic data benefits assets with links to the world’s largest economy and sheltered from the euro-region debt crisis.

Bolivia signs anti-drug deal with US and Brazil

Bolivia has signed an agreement with the US and Brazil to help reduce the production of illegal cocaine.

Obama now outsourcing US jobs to Brazil along with oil production

On January 19th, President Obama rejected plans to allow a Canadian pipeline to be built from the neighboring country to Texas to faciliatate oil production.

Mexican leftist plans change on "monopolies", mining

(Reuters) - Leftist presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pledged to break up Mexico's "monopolies" and press foreign mining firms for higher taxes and better wages if elected on July 1.

Colombia Record Corporate Debt Sales Extending to Barclays on GDP Growth

Colombia’s quickening economic growth is a signal to Barclays Capital Inc. and BCP Securities LLC that last year’s record corporate bond offerings will extend into 2012 as companies seek to finance expansion plans.

HBO Latin America adds 101 jobs in Coral Gables

HBO Latin America is growing its Miami-Dade County presence, expecting to add 101 jobs over the next two years and soon to relocate to a new headquarters in double its current space.

Big prizes, barriers in Brazil's luxury market

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Brazil has been long dismissed as the land of skimpy bikinis and rubber flip flops. But with its galloping economy and hordes of newly minted millionaires, the South American giant is the fashion and luxury industry's newest darling.

Brazil’s Economic Activity Returns to Growth After Three-Month Contraction

Brazil’s economy grew at its fastest pace in 19 months in November, reversing a three-month contraction, as a recovery in consumer spending helped the world’s second-largest emerging market shrug off a global slowdown. Yields on interest rate futures rose.

Latin America unemployment lowest in two decades

LIMA, Peru — Latin America and the Caribbean have confirmed their reputation as being well-positioned to weather the global recession with the news that urban unemployment in the region fell during 2011 to its lowest level since records began.

Chavez: Venezuela to close consulate in Miami

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government plans to close its consulate in Miami after the U.S. government expelled a diplomat.

Analysis: In Latin America, business climate is king again

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Here's an economic riddle of sorts: Which economy grew faster over the last seven years? A) President Hugo Chavez's Venezuela, famous for its forced nationalizations and "21st century socialism," or B) Chile, long renowned as a capitalist paradise for investors.

La Polar’s $1 Billion Fraud Fading as Chilean Rival Ripley Posts Rebound

Ripley Corp SA (RIPLEY), Chile’s third- largest department-store chain, is rebounding as investors seize on record-low valuations and concern fades that a credit fraud at rival Empresas La Polar SA (LAPOLAR) will erode the industry’s profits.

Mexico’s Obrador Woos Business With Lula-Style Makeover to Close Voter Gap

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was opposed by Mexico’s business community in 2006 when he lost the presidential election by less than a percentage point. He’s trying to claw his way back into contention in this year’s race by wooing his old critics.

Ahmadinejad Woos Chavez-Led Allies in Latin America Tour

Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, facing tighter U.S. sanctions and rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, will turn to his diminished group of allies in Latin America for support this week.

Pay Jumps 25% for Brazilian Investment Bankers Ready to Defect to Rivals

Brazilian investment bankers defecting to competitors won pay increases of as much as 25 percent in 2011 amid a shortage of experienced executives in Latin America’s largest economy.

Templeton’s Mobius Buying Argentine Frontier Stocks at Cheapest Since 2009

Mark Mobius, who manages $45 billion at Templeton Emerging Markets Group, is buying Argentine stocks that are trading at their cheapest levels in almost three years.

Giant Vale ship completes maiden journey to China

(Reuters) - The first of Vale's (VALE5.SA) giant dry bulk vessels to arrive in China has completed delivery of its iron ore cargo, shipping data showed on Tuesday, a key step forward in the Brazilian miner's plan to cut shipping costs to its biggest market.

Protests resume against Peru gold mining project

Demonstrators in Peru resumed their protests on Monday against plans to develop a $4.8 billion gold mine, saying they fear the mine will harm their water supplies.

Brazil Economists Cut 2012 CPI Forecast for Fifth Week on Slower Growth

Economists covering Brazil cut their forecasts for 2012 inflation for a fifth straight week as growth slows in Latin America’s biggest economy.

Chile: Latin America’s model economy looks for a rebound (CCU, BCH)

Chile has long been the economic model for Latin America and maintains the highest credit ratings with Aa3 from Moody's and A+ from Standard & Poor's and Fitch. Despite a strong economy, the equity market suffered one of the largest losses in the region, with a 24% loss since January. What will 2012 bring?