Cameron leads British hunt for business in Brazil

BRASILIA (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron had oil and sports on his mind when he visited Brazil this week seeking business opportunities in the South American nation that overtook Britain last year to become the world's No. 6 economy.

Colombian Copycat Banks Sell 13 Years of Bonds in Months

Colombian banks are selling record amounts of foreign bonds this quarter, pushing this year’s tally above the total of the previous 13 years, as they take advantage of record-low U.S. rates to finance more lending.

Startup Latin America: The Digital Revolution Heads South

Inspired by tech icons (and young billionaires) like Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey a growing number of entrepreneurs in Latin America are embracing the digital revolution and starting new tech ventures.

Mexico economic growth picks up, slower days seen ahead

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's annual growth rate sped up in July on the afterglow of election spending and despite a sluggish U.S. economy, but analysts are sticking to their predictions of a slowdown in the second half of this year.

Argentine Leader Challenges Critics in US

President Cristina Fernandez comes to Wall Street and Washington on Monday with a message for critics who say Argentina is headed for economic disaster by refusing to play by the rules of the global financial system: good riddance to the rules.

Booming economy overshadowed by Mexico's violence

Overshadowed by drug violence, Mexico's emerging economy surprises many.Forbes Magazine reports that Mexico is "the little darling of emerging market investors" and poised to become Latin American's largest economy, surpassing Brazil.

Argentina's Economy Stalled in 2nd Quarter on Government Policies, Trade

BUENOS AIRES--Argentina's once fast-growing economy hit a wall in the second quarter, as government policies and weak exports to Brazil weighed on activity.

Mexico jobless rate rises more than expected in August

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's jobless rate rose in August, breaking a five-month streak of declines and adding to expectations of a deceleration in Latin America's second-largest economy in the second half of 2012.

Can Mexico reclaim title as region's largest economy from Brazil?

Mexico’s President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto has embarked on a diplomatic tour of six countries in Central and South America in an effort to reset rocky relationships and reestablish Mexico's position in the region.

Brazilian stocks seesaw after string of wins

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — Brazilian stocks fell Monday, ending the market’s longest string of wins in eight months. The Ibovespa (BR:BVSP), which swung between gains and losses, finished 0.5% lower at 61,805.98, under pressure from housing and most stocks in the steel group.

Argentina to Send 2013 Budget to Congress

BUENOS AIRES--Argentine President Cristina Kirchner will submit her government's 2013 budget bill to the lower house of Congress on Friday, state news agency Telam said.

Brazil’s Antitrust Authority May Change Rules Governing Funds

Brazil’s antitrust authority may change merger reporting requirements for investment funds after complaints that the regulations, which took effect three months ago, are too sweeping.

Mexico's Pena Nieto eyes trade, security ties in Latin America

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's incoming President Enrique Pena Nieto will tour Latin America next week seeking to pave the way for deeper cooperation in the fight against drug gangs and stronger trade ties.

Colombia Sells $557 Million of Peso Bonds in Overseas Markets

Colombia sold 1 trillion pesos ($557 million) of peso-linked bonds in overseas markets to take advantage of demand for emerging-market assets after the Federal Reserve took measures to lower benchmark U.S. yields.

China Steps Up Push Into Latin America

SHANGHAI—Chinese companies are looking to increase their investments in Latin America and expand beyond their focus on mining and resources—a development that experts say could be needed if China wants to avoid tensions in the region.

Brazil Cuts Energy Costs to Boost Growth Through Competitiveness

Brazil will cut taxes and renegotiate rates with power companies to reduce electricity costs next year and boost a recovery in the world’s sixth- largest economy.

Mexico's Cemex strikes debt deal, eyes more asset sales

(Reuters) - Mexico's Cemex, one of the biggest cement makers in the world, has agreed to a new deal with creditors to push back debt payments and is considering fresh asset sales as it wraps up a $7.2 billion refinancing.

Brazil ETFs Strengthen on Stimulus Measures

The largest ETF for Brazil has been forming a base since May and is now trying to break out as the government attempts to kick-start the economy.

Pinera Bullish on Chilean GDP Growth Amid ‘Gloomy’ World Picture

Chile’s economic growth may accelerate next year as the world’s largest copper producer attracts ever increasing amounts of investment, President Sebastian Pinera said in an interview.

Existing Mexican Home Sales Surge as New Ones Shunned: Mortgages

Laura Romero’s four-year-old son attends pre-school and her husband works at a Mexico City soda maker, so location was a top priority as they shopped for a home in the Western Hemisphere’s most populous metropolitan area.

Cuba struggles with foreign investment, growth

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's failure to encourage more foreign investment is crippling its economic performance and putting its goal of sustainable growth in danger unless changes are made, local experts and diplomats said this week.

Argentina Aug Car Production Snaps Back, But Still Down On Year

BUENOS AIRES --Argentina's automobile production jumped sharply in August but was still down significantly from the record levels posted last year.

Brazil Stability Could Shift Focus to Nominal Budget Deficit

BRASILIA--The Brazilian government's focus on hitting its target for a primary budget surplus is a relic of the days when the country risked defaulting on its borrowing from foreign lenders, and some economists are pushing anew for that to be abandoned in favor of a goal for the overall budget deficit.

Argentina's July Leading Index Up 0.3% on Month; Down 15.7% on Year

BUENOS AIRES--Argentina's economic activity rose on the month in July but is still down on the year, according to a survey of leading indicators published by Torcuato Di Tella University, or UTDT.

Mexico pres seeks to cement legacy in last address

MEXICO CITY (AP) — As he nears the end of his six-year term, Mexican President Felipe Calderon leaves his country with a better-armored economy — and also more armored cars.

Brazil Reports 0.4% Growth Rate

Brazil’s national statistics agency announced today that the country’s gross domestic product expanded 0.4% over the previous three months, the fastest pace in a year.

Colombia Brags of Overtaking Argentina as Echeverry Eyes IMF Job

Colombia’s finance chief, looking to become the International Monetary Fund’s top official in Latin America, boasted that his economy has overtaken Argentina’s as the region’s third-biggest as a result of the Argentine peso’s slide on the unregulated currency market.

Peru’s Rating Outlook Raised by S&P as Mining Boosts Growth

The outlook on Peru’s debt rating was raised to positive from stable by Standard & Poor’s as investment in mining, energy and infrastructure bolsters the Andean nation’s prospects for economic and export growth.