Colombia Holds Key Rate at 3.25% as Consumer Spending Cools

Colombia held borrowing costs at the lowest level in Latin America for an eighth straight month as consumer spending growth cooled and inflation unexpectedly slowed below the lower band of its target range.

Mexican Senate Passes Lending Bill Aimed at Spurrning GDP Growth

Mexico’s Senate approved a bill that seeks to boost bank lending as part of a government effort to revive economic growth in Latin America’s second-biggest economy.

Brazil Extending World’s Biggest Rate Rise to Regain Credibility

Brazil’s central bank probably will raise the benchmark interest rate for a sixth straight meeting in an effort to convince investors that policy makers are serious about slowing inflation back to its target.

Secondary laws for Mexico telecoms overhaul to be delayed: lawmakers

(Reuters) - Legislation to implement a major overhaul of Mexico's telecommunications industry will not be approved until early next year, pushing back a deadline set for December, two senior lawmakers said on Saturday.

Brazil Economists Raise 2014 Selic Forecast to Highest All Year

Brazil economists raised their 2014 key rate forecast to the highest level all year as a weakening currency complicates efforts to slow inflation.

Peru’s GDP Expands at Slowest Pace Since 2009 in Third Quarter

Peru’s economic growth decelerated in the third quarter as an export slump damped private investment.

Mexico inflation up more than expected in early November

MEXICO CITY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Mexican inflation picked up faster than expected in early November on a seasonal spike in electricity costs, but tame core price pressures point to steady interest rates well into next year.

UPDATE 3-Brazil October jobless rate hits lowest in 10 months

SAO PAULO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Brazil's jobless rate in October dropped to its lowest level this year as employment growth outpaced a marginal increase in the number of job seekers.

Mexico GDP Rose More Than Forecast Amid Rate Reductions

Mexico’s gross domestic product expanded more than analysts forecast in the third quarter as manufacturing rebounded, supporting the central bank’s view that the economy can recover without additional interest-rate cuts.

Venezuela’s Maduro Secures Powers to Rule Without Congress

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro received authority to pass economic laws without congressional approval, a move the opposition says will increase the harassment of businesses and attacks on political rivals ahead of local elections.

Argentina's Kirchner back at helm in cabinet reshuffle

Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner was back at work Monday after a six-week medical leave, and promptly chose a new economy minister.

Argentina September economic activity beats expectations

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Argentina's economic activity grew 4.7 percent in September compared with the same month last year, the government said on Friday, exceeding market expectations.

Petrobras sells Peru unit to PetroChina/CNPC for $2.6 billion

(Reuters) - Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA) has struck a deal to sell its Peruvian oil and gas assets to PetroChina (0857.HK), China's top oil and gas firm, and its parent China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) for $2.6 billion.

Argentina Said to Win Lagarde Reprieve on Data Sanctions

Argentina, the first International Monetary Fund member to be censured for misreporting economic data, would escape sanctions by the lender under a recommendation by Managing Director Christine Lagarde, according to two IMF board officials.

Porsche 911s at 39% Off Sparks Argentina Sales Crackdown

By exploiting Argentina’s illegal currency market, buyers are extracting 39 percent discounts on luxury imports such as the Porsche 911 Carrera S sports car and creating the biggest foreign auto boom in five years.

Investor Insight: Can President Maduro Right Venezuela's Economy?

A former bus driver once responsible for navigating Venezuela’s complex web of roads, the country’s current president, Nicolas Maduro, now faces the more difficult task of steering the country’s economy.

Brazil’s Vale Plans to Sell Up to 22% of Norsk Hydro

Vale SA (VALE), the Brazilian iron-ore producer seeking asset divestments to cut costs and boost profit, plans to sell as much as a 22 percent stake in aluminum-maker Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY) valued at about $1.8 billion.

Latin America hopes to ride out slow U.S. growth

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Latin America hopes to ride out slow growth and U.S. monetary issues on the strength of its own increased economic activity, Fitch rating agency data indicate.

Peru's central bank sees gloomier economic growth

LIMA, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Peru's central bank said on Friday it was lowering its 2013 economic growth forecast for the second time in less than 2 months to around 5.2 or 5.3 percent from 5.5 percent, in line with estimates by analysts and banks.

This region to see highest wage growth next year

Wages are set to rise around 6 percent on average globally next year, with the rate of increase virtually unchanged from 2013, according to a new survey.

Mexico central bank cuts 2013, 2014 growth outlook

MEXICO CITY, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bank on Wednesday cut its growth outlook for this year and next after a sharp economic slowdown but reaffirmed its view that no more rate cuts are advisable because it eyes a rebound.

Brazil's services sector surges in October - PMI

SAO PAULO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Activity in Brazil's services sector surged to an eight-month high in October, a closely watched business survey showed on Tuesday, adding to hopes for a fourth-quarter rebound in Latin America's largest economy.

Chile’s Economy Contracted by Most in Seven Months in September

Chile’s economy contracted at the fastest pace in seven months in September, the month before the central bank voted unanimously to cut interest rates, according to the minutes of its Oct. 17 meeting.

Mexico Peso Implied Volatility Falls on Fed Outlook; Yields Drop

The Mexican peso’s implied volatility dropped from a three-week high as investors speculated over when the U.S. Federal Reserve will slow bond purchases that have fueled demand for the Latin American country’s local-currency debt.

Brazil Pledges 20% Cut in State Bank Lending to Narrow Deficit

Brazil plans to reduce lending by its development bank by about 20 percent next year to shore up finances after a wider-than-expected September deficit fueled speculation the nation’s credit rating may be cut.

Ecuador's economy grew 3.5 pct in second quarter

QUITO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Ecuador's economy grew 3.5 percent in the seacond quarter that ended in June vs the same period a year earlier, driven by expansion of construction, communications and oil sectors, the central bank said on Friday.

How to grow Latin America’s middle class

Demonstrations in Latin America show just how far societies have come, and how much further they must go to meet the expectations that come with rising incomes.

Brazil Posts Widest Federal Primary Budget Gap in Almost 5 Years

Brazil’s federal government posted the widest primary budget deficit in almost five years, a performance that Banco J. Safra says increases the probability the nations credit rating will be downgraded.