Minister: Brazil's economy will overtake France

SAO PAULO (AP) — Latin America's biggest economy will overtake France's to become the globe's fifth-largest before 2015, Brazil's finance minister said Tuesday.

Latin American IPOs face a difficult 2012

San Francisco (MarketWatch) — Latin America’s market for initial public offerings faces a difficult year in 2012, mostly due to sluggish economic growth across the region.

Analysis: Mexico 2012 frontrunner stirs reform optimism

(Reuters) - Investors frustrated with years of gridlock on economic reforms in Mexico now believe the best chance for progress lies with the party that has done most to prevent change over the last decade.

Brazil economy overtakes UK, says CEBR

Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, an economic research group has said.

Cuba wraps up dramatic year of economic change

HAVANA (AP) — A year at the vanguard of Cuba's economic revival has not brought Julio Cesar Hidalgo riches. The fledgling pizzeria owner has had his good months, but the restaurant he opened with his girlfriend often runs at a loss. At times, they can't afford to buy basic ingredients.

Pinera Says Chile Will Be First Developed Country in Latin America by 2020

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, who earned his fortune by setting up Chile’s first credit card network and revitalizing Lan Airlines SA, aims to vault his country into the ranks of developed nations by 2020. He talked to Bloomberg Markets magazine editor Ronald Henkoff and Bloomberg News Santiago bureau chief James Attwood on Dec. 6.

Cuban banks begin offering loans to private businesses

Banks in Cuba have begun offering loans to individual citizens, in the latest free-market reform in the communist-run island.

Fitch: Latin America Sovereign Creditworthiness Trends Stable in 2012

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings has published its Latin America Sovereign Outlook for 2012, noting that sovereign creditworthiness trends in Latin America are expected to remain broadly stable in 2012 (only the Dominican Republic is currently on Positive Outlook) following the positive credit cycle of the last 12-18 months.

Brazil stocks fall on inflation, euro-zone views

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — Brazilian and Mexican stocks fell Monday, turning lower following a downbeat assessment about the euro-area’s economy and the outlook on taming the debt crisis from the head of the region’s central bank.

Brazil’s economy slows

Brazil still might be the darling of foreign investors and Miami real-estate agents but as the year draws to a close, its once booming economy is slowing.

Latin America's biggest airline LATAM is approved

The merger of two major Latin American airlines has been approved, creating the largest carrier in the region.

Brazil Housing Market Booming 'Til 2017

Investors worried about an overheated Chinese housing market need only turn to Brazil. This real estate market has legs. And the recent five year real estate boom there has a good five more years before home values stop appreciating.

Latin America better-prepared for any economic storms

Not only has the region learned lessons from the 2008 crisis, but many countries have built up their international reserves and continued economic reforms.

Bradesco Said to Be Close to Buying HSBC’s Losango in Brazil

Banco Bradesco SA (BBDC4) is close to buying HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA)’s Brazil consumer-finance unit, Losango, for about 750 million reais ($415 million), according to two people familiar with the deal.

U.S. should embrace Latin America

(CNN) -- The United States is looking for new ways to regain its strength, to shake off the recession blues and fortify its position of international leadership. But Washington is missing the obvious, neglecting its closest neighbors. Big mistake.

Lima Plans First Overseas Debt Sale With $500 Million Issue, Mayor Says

Lima, Peru’s capital city, plans to sell debt in international markets for the first time by issuing $500 million worth of bonds denominated in soles over the next two years, Mayor Susana Villaran said.

Brazil's economic growth stalls in third quarter

Brazil saw its economic growth stall for the three months to the end of September, official figures show.

Itau Takes Top Brazil Bank Ranks From Citigroup, Rothschild

Banco Itau BBA SA has taken over the top rankings in Brazil for merger advice, equity underwriting and initial public offerings, supplanting foreign banks Citigroup Inc. (C), Rothschild and Credit Suisse Group AG. (CSGN).

How Guyana gold mining threatens its green future

Almost everyone in Port Kaituma is making money from gold. From the miners who head out to the camps in the surrounding jungle to the owners of the bars and stores where the miners spend their money.

Latin America Forms Bloc Excluding U.S., Canada

Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Latin American and Caribbean countries signed the “declaration of Caracas” today in Venezuela to formalize the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, an economic and political bloc that excludes the U.S. and Canada.

Argentina Capital Flight Accelerated to $8.4 Billion in the Third Quarter

Argentine capital flight accelerated to the fastest pace in at least four years last quarter as investors concerned about inflation and a weakening peso pulled cash out of South America’s second-biggest economy.

Brazil's Booming Economy Is Creating 19 'Millionaires' Every Day

Brazil has been adding 19 ‘millionaires’ per day since 2007 — and that statistic will likely be repeated over the next three years as Latin America’s economic super-power continues to deliver stellar GDP growth and consumption rates, according to bankers.