Latin America’s Economy Projected to Grow 3.5% in 2013

Economic Comission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) recently published its growth forecasts for Latin America’s economies in 2013.

Mexican Central Banker Says Inflation Pressure Temporary

ACAPULCO, Mexico--Mexico's central bank chief Agustin Carstens said Thursday consumer prices might begin to ease by June, since recent inflationary pressures such as hikes in public transportation costs and climate factors are transitory.

Colombia Holds Rate at 3.25% as Santos Unveils Stimulus

Colombia kept borrowing costs unchanged for the first time in six months as policy makers seek to evaluate the combined effects of Latin America’s lowest interest rate and the government’s fiscal stimulus.

Brazil Consumer Default Rate Drops to Lowest Level in 16 Months

Brazil’s consumer-loan default rate fell to the lowest level since November 2011 on near-record low borrowing costs.

Mexico Telecom Bill Returns to Senate With Small Wording Change

Mexico’s lower house sent a bill to increase competition in telecommunications back to the Senate, paving the way for tougher regulators to challenge the dominance of America Movil SAB (AMXL) and Grupo Televisa SAB. (TLEVICPO)

Asia, Latin America deals on deck in US high-grade market

There are a few deals from Asia and Latin America already lined up to price Wednesday in the US high-grade bond market, which is currently at USD10.15bn in countable volume for the week.

UN lowers 2013 Latin America growth forecast

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- The economy of Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to grow by 3.5 percent this year, less than previously forecast, because of uncertainty about the future of the world economy and slower growth in developed nations, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Most Brazilian Stocks Fall on Manufacturing Growth View

Most Brazilian stocks fell as economists cut forecasts for the country’s industrial output growth this year and next, adding to concern that recovery in Latin America’s largest economy is faltering.

Argentina Bondholders Reject Plan to Pay Defaulted Debt

Holders of Argentina’s defaulted debt, led by Elliott Management Corp.’s NML Capital Ltd. unit, rejected the nation’s proposal to force them to take a sharp discount on their bonds.

Exclusive: Mexico bank reform eases legal hurdles to boost credit

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's government aims to boost lending by making it easier for banks to collect on guarantees for bad loans and by giving new powers to regulators to punish firms that do not lend enough, according to a draft of a new banking reform.

Itau Bet on Stocks Outside Brazil Leads Latin America Funds

Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ITUB4) has found a winning strategy for the Itau Latam Pacific mutual fund: avoiding shares from the bank’s home country, Brazil.

IMF trims growth forecast for Latin America

WASHINGTON: The IMF on Tuesday trimmed its economic growth forecasts for Latin America and the Caribbean this year but said the outlook for the region was positive.

Mexico’s Peso Drops as Weaker Global Data Damps Export Outlook

Mexico’s peso fell the most in a week after a report that showed China’s economy grew less than forecast added to concern that global expansion is slowing, damping the Latin American country’s export outlook.

Brazil Central Bank Economic Activity Index Down 0.52% in Feb Versus Jan

SAO PAULO--Brazil's economic activity dropped in February, increasing expectations Latin America's largest economy will post tepid activity in the first quarter of this year.

Colombian Peso Posts Weekly Decline Before April 15 Stimulus

Colombia’s peso posted the biggest weekly drop in Latin America as the government prepares a stimulus plan that Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas has said includes measures to weaken the currency.

IMF says Latin America can handle Japan funds inflow

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Aggressive monetary easing in Japan will probably not swamp Latin America with excess capital, but much depends on when the U.S. Federal Reserve eases back from its stimulus measures, a senior International Monetary Fund official said.

Mexico’s Peso Rises as Senate Poised to Vote on Telecom Reforms

Mexico’s peso rose to a 20-month high amid speculation lawmakers are moving closer to approving a bill to boost competition in the telecommunications industry, fueling optimism for legal reforms that could bolster growth.

Brazil Industrial Capacity Use Falls In February to 82.6%

BRASILIA--Brazil's use of installed industrial capacity fell in February as industrial activity failed to maintain the acceleration seen in the previous month, the country's National Confederation of Industries, or CNI, reported Tuesday.

Italy's Enel Excludes Latin America from Asset-Sales Plan

Enel SpA (ENEL.MI), Europe's most highly indebted energy utility, is betting on Latin America to help raise its revenues, and far from planning asset sales in the region, it is looking to increase its presence there, said Chief Executive Fulvio Conti.

Brazil Swap Rates Drop to One-Month Low on GDP View; Real Rises

Brazil’s swap rates fell to a one- month low as economists lowered their forecasts for growth and inflation, spurring speculation that the central bank will refrain from increasing borrowing costs next week.

Colombian Economic Engine Continues To Move Forward

Colombia, at one point in time, was more known for drug trafficking rather than its economic prowess, but that reputation is slowly changing as the nation continues to post strong economic growth numbers.

Mexico Peso Drops as Slower U.S. Job Growth Damps Export Outlook

Mexico’s peso tumbled as U.S. employers hired fewer workers than forecast in March, hurting prospects for the Latin American nation’s top export market.

Economic Weakness May Postpone Brazil Rate Hikes

Brazil’s economy is slowing down again, with weak industrial production data released earlier this week.

Chilean President Dismisses Concern Economy Is Overheating

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera dismissed concern the economy is growing in an unsustainable fashion, one day after his finance minister said the government may take measures to avoid overheating.

Brazil Central Bank Chief Says Rates Will Go Up If Needed

BRASILIA--Brazil's economic recovery remains on track, but the central bank is monitoring its data and is ready to act if inflation gets out of hand, the head of the country's central bank said during a Senate hearing Tuesday.

Colombia Bond Yields Rise on View Rate Cuts Over; Peso Advances

Colombia’s peso bond yields rose for a third day on speculation the central bank’s rate-cutting cycle that began in July reached an end after an unexpected half- percentage-point cut last month.

Inside the Surging Mexico ETF

Mexico, the second largest economy of Latin America, turned out to be one of the strongest economies in 2012.

Argentina ‘Greek Tragedy’ Nears End as Debt Ruling Looms

Argentina may learn at any time whether a U.S. appeals court will rule that it must pay $1.4 billion to holders of its defaulted debt, something the South American country has resisted for more than a decade.