Brazil cuts interest rates to fresh record low

Brazil's central bank has cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 7.5% in an attempt to reignite a stalled economic recovery.

Alternative Energy And Global Energy Security In Aftermath Of Rio+20

By Alexander Mirtchev, Contributor

 

“Life always gets harder toward the summit–the cold increases, the responsibility increases.” These words by Friedrich Nietzsche aptly characterize the atmosphere among global leaders at June’s international summits.

Emerging market economy of the day: Argentine economy

The Argentine economy ( ARGT , quote ) received more bad news this week as the country struggles to regain its financial footing in the midst of the global financial crisis.

Forget Brazil; Mexico ETF is Hot

Brazil, which was once foreign investors’ favorite investment destination in Latin America, is currently facing some significant challenges.

As Argentina's economy slows, President Cristina Fernandez's popularity dips

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez's popularity sank to 30 percent in August, less than half of what it was a year earlier, according to a poll published on Sunday that portrayed a country worried about crime and high inflation.

Colombia's president says to keep defense minister in post

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Saturday he would not remove his embattled defense minister in a cabinet shake-up despite growing criticism over an increasing number of attacks by Marxist guerrillas in Latin America's No. 4 economy.

Now hiring: Brazil wants more foreign professionals

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's government is exploring ways to ease immigration rules in order to attract up to 10 times more foreign professionals and help spur economic growth, a senior official told Reuters.

Mexican firms making big bond sales

Mexican companies from America Movil to Petroleos Mexicanos are becoming the biggest sellers of international bonds in Latin America as they take advantage of record-low borrowing costs.

Bets on Brazil Recovery Hold Unemployment at Record Lows

Brazilian metal worker Danilo Gritti didn’t lose his job in a Mercedes-Benz (DAI) bus and truck plant when demand slackened earlier this year.

Rich-poor gap grows in Latin America: UN

The gap is widening between the rich and poor in much of Latin America, the world's most economically unequal and its most urbanized region, the UN said Tuesday.

Worse-Than-Argentina Debt Offer Rejected by Belize Bondholders

Belize is offering bondholders 20 cents on the dollar in a debt restructuring, worse than what Argentina gave creditors following its 2001 default, according to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Citigroup Inc.

Brazil Swap Rates Climb on Higher Inflation Forecast; Real Falls

Brazilian swap rates rose to a six- week high after analysts covering the economy increased their 2012 inflation forecast, bolstering speculation the central bank may limit its cycle of borrowing-cost cuts.

Mexico's big oil problem

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Mexico, one of the largest suppliers of oil to the United States, has a big problem: Its production of crude is falling fast. In 2008, the country's production peaked at 3.2 million barrels a day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Argentina July Industrial Production -2.3% on Year - OJF

BUENOS AIRES -(Dow Jones)- Argentine manufacturers decreased output in July from a year ago as the economy continued to suffer amid weaker demand at home and from neighboring Brazil.

Asia eyes Brazil's growing consumer market

With Europe and the United States in the economic doldrums, Asian manufacturers are setting their sights on Brazil's lucrative consumer market ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

Santander Mexico Said to Seek Up to $4 Billion in IPO

Banco Santander SA (SAN)'s Mexican unit plans to raise as much as $4 billion in a record initial public offering for Latin America's second-biggest economy, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Brazil changes tack with new stimulus plan

Brazil's government is set to launch the first in a series of measures that could inject up to $50bn (£32bn) into the economy over the next five years.

Analysis: Argentine inflation "resilient" despite slowing growth

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine dairy farmers dumped truckloads of milk in protests this week while millions of commuters endured the longest subway workers strike in history, all thanks to high inflation that is not seen easing despite a sharp economic slowdown.

Mobius Chimes in on Mexico

Mexico, Latin America's second-largest economy behind Brazil, is gaining steam as an investment option for foreign investors.

Brazil’s Real Advances on Speculation Stimulus to Boost Growth

Brazil’s real advanced for a third day as speculation grew that the government’s efforts to fuel faster growth in Latin America’s largest economy will take hold in the second half of the year.

Peru Likely to Keep 4.25% Rate as Prices Ease and Economy Booms

Peru’s policy makers will probably leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged for a 15th consecutive month today as inflation slows and economic growth outperforms regional peers.

Brazil's Caixa: Banks Optimistic on Recovery in Second Half

BRASILIA--Brazilian banks are optimistic about the prospects for a recovery of the local economy during the second half of this year, the president of state-controlled bank Caixa Economica Federal, Jorge Hereda, said Wednesday.

Mexico's Consumer Confidence Rises in July after Election

MEXICO CITY--Consumer confidence in Mexico rose in July from the previous month, while also gaining from its year- earlier level, the National Statistics Institute, or Inegi, said Friday.

Latin American dividend stocks can cut risk

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Latin America, known to foreign investors as a high-risk but fast-growing region, doesn’t have to be quite so risky. By investing in dividend-paying stocks in Latin America, investors can trim that risk substantially and increase income at the same time.

Chile is still a model for Latin neighbors

Chile’s image as Latin America’s star economy has been battered lately by images of violent student protests, but new economic data — including a decline in poverty rates announced last week — suggest that the so-called “Chilean model” is still very much alive.

Echeverry Seeks More Ammunition for Colombia Currency War

Colombian Finance Minister Juan Carlos Echeverry stepped up pressure on the central bank to boost dollar purchases and damp a rally in the peso that threatens to undermine local industry and farmers.

Argentina celebrates bond payoff as end of an era

Bond payoffs are supposed to be boring, but Argentina’s president is celebrating Friday’s final $2.3-billion (U.S.) payment on a bond given to people whose savings were confiscated a decade ago, calling it a lesson for European countries now mired in foreign debt.

Chile rejigs criticized tax reform bill in Congress push

Aug 2 (Reuters) - Chile's government on Thursday rejigged a sweeping tax reform bill aimed at helping fund an education overhaul, removing criticized benefits for higher earners as it seeks to help its passage through Congress ahead of key local elections.

Chinese Interest in Latin America's Growth

China's interest in Latin America is a fairly new phenomenon that has developed with the past decade. Since April 2000 when President Jiang Zemin became the first Chinese official to visit the region, commercial ties between the two regions broadened and deepened.

Venezuela joins Mercosur trading bloc

Venezuela has joined Mercosur, six years after first applying to join the South American trading bloc.