Brazil Fourth Quarter Growth Exceeds All Analyst Forecasts

Brazil’s economy grew in the fourth quarter more than economists forecast as an increase in investment offset a drop in industrial production.

EMERGING MARKETS-Brazil real gains for 5th session, Turkey lira drops

LONDON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's real on Tuesday gained for a fifth session in a row as investors turned less pessimistic on the country's fiscal prospects, but Turkey's lira hit a two-week low versus the dollar after the latest twist in a government corruption scandal.

Foreign flows into Mexico stocks, bonds gain in Q4

MEXICO CITY, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Foreign investor inflows to Mexican stocks and bonds picked up slightly in the fourth quarter, helping Mexico narrow its current account balance of payments deficit, a central bank report showed on Tuesday.

Brazil, Europe plan undersea cable to skirt U.S. spying

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Brazil and the European Union agreed on Monday to lay an undersea communications cable from Lisbon to Fortaleza to reduce Brazil's reliance on the United States after Washington spied on Brasilia.

Mexico to trump Japan as No. 2 car exporter to US

CELAYA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico is on track to become the United States' No. 1 source of imported cars by the end of next year, overtaking Japan and Canada in a manufacturing boom that's turning the auto industry into a bigger source of dollars than money sent home by migrants.

Argentina, Brazil said to fret over Venezuela spillover

BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- An Arab Spring-like contagion of discontent and protest sweeping through Venezuela is worrying leaders in Argentina and Brazil for its potential spillover, analysts say.

Voices: Where are the diplomats to help Latin America?

MIAMI - The urgent scramble by diplomats from European Union nations to end the bloodshed in Ukraine underscores just how different things are in Latin America, where Venezuelan protesters seem to be on their own.

Mexico feels energy buzz with N. America summit

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The North American Free Trade Agreement has been good for Eugenio Madero's company. Now he's hoping that a deeper plunge into economic integration, focused on Mexican energy, will be even better.

Uruguay’s Growth Pushing Inflation Past Target, Bergara Says

Uruguay’s growing economy and a tight labor market are keeping inflation above policy makers’ target, according to Economy Minister Mario Bergara.

Brazil Swap Rates Drop on Tombini Inflation Optimism; Real Falls

Brazil’s swap rates fell to the lowest this month as central bank President Alexandre Tombini said inflation will converge with the target, easing speculation that policy makers will keep raising borrowing costs.

Argentina Fines Retailers for Not Stocking Price-Capped Products

BUENOS AIRES--A day after reporting the highest inflation in over a decade, Argentina's government fined several retail chains, including France'sCarrefour SA and U.S.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., for failing to stock certain price- capped products.

South America's first Apple store opens in Rio

Some 1,700 impatient shoppers lined up for hours Saturday for the grand opening of Apple's store in Rio de Janeiro -- the first official outpost in South America.

Weak Brazil activity index raises specter of recession

BRASILIA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Economic activity in Brazil fell sharply in December, raising the specter that Latin America's largest economy may have slipped into recession as the government phased out massive economic stimulus to battle inflation.

Correction: Argentina-Economy story

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Believe it, or not? That's the question of the day in Argentina, where the credibility of a new consumer price index unveiled Thursday is key to containing inflation and attracting investment from a world that has lost confidence in the government's numbers.

Exclusive: Drought could make Brazil lower 2014 fiscal goal - source

(Reuters) - A severe drought stretching Brazil's finances by pushing up its energy bill could force the government to lower its primary budget surplus target this year, a senior official told Reuters.

Puerto Rico's debt cut to junk status by Fitch

Fitch Ratings joined Standard and Poor's and Moody's in cutting Puerto Rico's debt to junk status, as the island's debt problems worsen.

Brazil water project, long delayed, gets election year boost

CABROBO, Brazil (Reuters) - In 2006, then President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, a native of Brazil's historically drought-plagued northeast, pushed through an idea that long-suffering residents of the region had been hearing about for more than a century.

Argentina falls, but no longer drags down Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- When Argentina fell into the economic abyss a decade ago after defaulting on its sovereign debt, Brazil suffered right along with it, nearly following its neighbor into insolvency.

Puerto Rico: Economy Tanks, Are Rising Taxes To Blame?

Puerto Rico is facing staggering challenges to its economy. Its credit rating was downgraded by Standard & Poor’s on Tuesday. Friday saw more bad news for the island territory’s economy, as Moody’s downgraded their debt to junk status, according to an AP report.

Brazil spending on power generation may stretch budget

BRASILIA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's fiscal accounts, already under close scrutiny by rating agencies, could suffer a new blow this year as the government picks up the bill for rising energy prices.

Mexico Peso Rises as Upgrade Defies Emerging-Market Doldrums

Mexico’s peso advanced, extending gains from yesterday, after Moody’s Investors Service raised the nation’s credit rating to the highest ever.

UK firms fancy Mexico despite drug violence - Clegg

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - British companies recognize the security threats posed by Mexico's drug violence but are more focused on opportunities in a batch of economic reforms in Latin America's No.2 economy, Britain's visiting deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

U.S. trade relationships need an 'upgrade': Pritzker

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other U.S. trade relationships are outdated and need an "upgrade", U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said on Tuesday during a trade visit to Mexico.

Brazil posts widest trade deficit ever in January

BRASILIA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's trade deficit in January was the biggest on record, after a rise in raw material exports failed to offset greater imports of consumer and capital goods, the Trade Ministry said on Monday.

El Salvador Bond Yields Surge After Presidential Election

El Salvador’s benchmark borrowing costs rose the most in emerging markets after the ruling party’s candidate in yesterday’s presidential election did better than some analysts forecast, just missing an outright win.

Mexico Central Bank Holds Rates Despite Pressure on Currency

Mexico’s central bank remained on hold Friday despite the recent currency turmoil in emerging markets and higher local inflation, but warned that it will remain watchful to keep the recent depreciation of the peso from affecting prices.

Argentina seeks to control prices amid devaluation

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina's government has announced agreements with business leaders to keep the recent sharp depreciation in the peso from pushing up prices for consumer goods.

Brazil's Unemployment Rate Hits Record Low

Brazil’s stock market is losing billions and GDP growth is slower than that of the U.S., but the labor market is the hottest thing going.