Chile economy slows slightly, but consumption, jobs firm

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's economy showed signs it was continuing to slow slightly in November, with manufacturing output slipping for a fourth straight month, even as consumption and the labor market remained firm.

Cuba eases restrictions on loans to small businesses

The Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island's troubled economy. Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government.

Argentina says Oct economic activity up 3.2 pct yr/yr

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Argentina's economic activity grew 3.2 percent in October compared with the same month last year, the government said on Friday, a result that came in a bit below market expectations.

Brazil Braces for Tax Hikes

Taxes in Brazil will go up next year as the government looks to shore up its finances after much criticism from the investment community and the threat of a downgrade to the country’s sovereign credit rating.

Mexico exports rise in November, imports wobble

MEXICO CITY, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Mexican factory exports rose in November in a sign of strengthening U.S. demand, but non-oil consumer imports dipped, signaling a wobbly recovery in Latin America's second economy.

Argentine economy closing 2013 in trouble, with tough times looming for Cristina Fernandez

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – President Cristina Fernandez has tried to reinvent her image since her return from skull surgery. She's put aside the all-black wardrobe she wore for three years mourning her late husband Nestor Kirchner, and reshuffled her Cabinet.

Mexico annual inflation rises to 6-month high in early Dec

MEXICO CITY, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Mexico's annual inflation picked up more than expected to a six-month high in early December on higher gasoline and tomato prices, but policymakers expect inflation to trend down next year.

Brazilian Unemployment Matches Record Low, but More Dropping Out of Work Force

Brazil’s unemployment rate matched a record low in November, but the seemingly positive figure hides an alarming change in Latin America’s largest economy: fewer Brazilians are working and even less are looking for work.

Lost Brazil order raises threat to Boeing fighter jet

WASHINGTON: Brazil's decision to buy Swedish fighter jets instead of F/A-18 Super Hornets from Boeing eliminates its most promising foreign-sales prospect just as the US company faces critical decisions about extending the jet's production line past 2016.

Slide in Argentina's growth points to weakening economy

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Argentina's growth slipped in the third quarter from the previous quarter, while a slew of other economic data on Friday were also weak, indicating that Latin America's third-largest economy may be slowing.

Brazil's jobless rate returns to record low; inflation rises

SAO PAULO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Brazil's jobless rate returned to record lows in November, and inflation accelerated, government data showed on Thursday, suggesting consumer spending remained steady despite several interest rate increases and a sharp economic slowdown.

Mexico to raise its Q1 2014 debt issuance level

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Mexico will boost the amount of debt it will issue in the first quarter of 2014, the finance ministry said on Thursday, as the government seeks to spend more to strengthen a nascent economic recovery in Latin America's No. 2 economy.

Mexico's president says he will enact energy reform soon

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Monday he would soon enact a sweeping overhaul of Mexico's ailing energy sector which is aimed at boosting growth in Latin America's No. 2 economy.

Brazil Economists Reduce Growth Outlook for This Year and Next

Economists covering Brazil cut their economic growth forecasts for a second straight week, as domestic demand shows signs of weakening, according to a central bank survey.

Chilean Voters Return a Former President to Power

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chilean voters handed a landslide victory to Michelle Bachelet on Sunday, returning her to the presidency amid continuing unease over high levels of inequality in Chile despite an enviable stretch of rapid economic growth.

Brazil economic activity picks up, signals better 4th quarter

BRASILIA, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Economic activity in Brazil rose more than expected in October despite a slowdown in retail sales, official data showed on Friday, suggesting a slight recovery after Latin America's top economy contracted in the third quarter.

Mexico's Senate backs reform to break oil monopoly

Mexico City (AFP) - Mexico's Senate approved controversial legislation Wednesday to open the state-controlled energy sector to foreign investment and break the 75-year-old oil monopoly.

Global demand to boost Latam economic growth in 2014 -UN

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Growth in the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to gather pace next year, as a more favorable global outlook boosts demand for its exports, the United Nations economic body for Latin America said.

Colombia Rating Boosted by Fitch on Debt Load, Growth Outlook

Colombia’s credit rating was increased one step to the second-lowest investment grade by Fitch Ratings, which cited the country’s manageable debt load, policy stability and growth outlook.

Mexico Senate committees near vote on bold energy reform

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican Senate committees on Monday resume debate of an energy bill that would open up the world's No. 10 oil producer to private investment by allowing lucrative contracts in the sector's most dramatic revamp in 75 years.

Argentina-Brazil patch up on trade, look to Europe deal

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's recent Cabinet shuffle has smoothed trade friction between South America's two largest economies and clears the way for a united proposal for free trade with the European Union, Brazilian Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel said on Thursday.

Latin American Bloc Stalls WTO Bali Trade Talks

The World Trade Organization temporarily suspended discussions aimed at a global update of trading rules after opposition from a group of Latin American nations led by Cuba.

Mexico’s Peso Leads Weekly Gains in Latin America on Energy Bill

Mexico’s peso advanced, heading for the biggest weekly gain in Latin America, as lawmakers from the country’s two largest political parties signaled they are almost finished drafting a bill to overhaul the energy industry.

Argentina Said to Seek $17 Billion From Russia to China for Dams

Argentina’s Planning Minister Julio De Vido is flying to Russia and China to seek investors for 14 infrastructure projects to be auctioned next year for a total of $17 billion, two people with knowledge of the situation said.

Brazil Swap Rates Drop Before Central Bank Minutes; Real Gains

Brazil’s swap rates declined on speculation policy makers will signal a slowdown in the pace of borrowing cost increases in minutes of their November policy meeting scheduled to be published tomorrow.

Brazil's economy shrinks for first time since 2009

SAO PAULO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy contracted in the third quarter for the first time since early 2009, falling short of expectations yet again as plunging investment underscored eroding confidence in what was recently one of the world's most promising emerging markets.

Mexico Peso Implied Volatility Increases on Fed Stimulus Concern

Mexican peso implied volatility rose to a two-week high as an acceleration in U.S. manufacturing stoked concern the Federal Reserve will cut a stimulus program that has buoyed the Latin American country’s securities.

Venezuelan oil diplomacy curbed by economic crisis

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The late President Hugo Chavez's dream of leveraging Venezuela's oil wealth to spread revolution across Latin America is crumbling under the weight of an economic crisis that is forcing his hand-picked successor to cut back on generous foreign aid.

Mexico's Booming Car Industry Selling Unsafe Cars

RAMOS ARIZPE, Mexico (AP) — In Mexico's booming auto industry, the cars rolling off assembly lines may look identical, but how safe they are depends on where they're headed.