Brazil central bank appears to cut short currency swap rollover

(Reuters) - Brazil's central bank did not announce so far on Friday a usual auction to roll over currency swaps that are set to expire early next month, a sign it wants to slow recent gains in the real.

Chile bank board split over June rate decision, points to future cut

SANTIAGO, June 27 (Reuters) - Chile's central bank board was divided about its decision to keep the key interest rate on hold at 4.0 percent at its June monetary policy meeting, with one of the five members voting for a cut, minutes of that meeting showed on Friday.

Fitch: Limited Rating Actions Expected Despite Challenging Conditions in Argentina and Venezuela

Latin America corporates that have significant operations in Argentina and Venezuela are well positioned to withstand the turbulent environment, according to a new Fitch Ratings report.

Brazil Central Bank’s Disinflation Outlook Signals Rate Hold

Brazil’s economy will enter a “dis-inflationary” period, the central bank said, signaling it will keep interest rates unchanged even as it forecasts above-target inflation for at least two years.

Argentine holdouts say would discuss debt extension in good faith

(Reuters) - Holdout investors in Argentine sovereign debt said on Tuesday they would discuss an accommodation to let the government pay other bondholders facing a potential default if negotiations to settle the legal dispute have made good progress before July 30.

Mexico early June annual inflation rises to 3-month high

MEXICO CITY, June 24 (Reuters) - Mexican annual inflation rose in early June for the first time in five months but stayed within the central bank's tolerance zone, backing bets for steady interest rates ahead.

Argentina's Fernandez says willing to talk with all creditors

(Reuters) - President Cristina Fernandez said on Friday her government would negotiate with all of Argentina's creditors in a bid to avoid a new debt default that would further weaken the country's ailing economy.

Brazil's Rousseff picked by party for tough election October 5

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's ruling Workers' Party formally nominated President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday to run for re-election in October in what is shaping up to be its toughest race since winning power in 2002.

Chilean president urges tie-up talks between regional trade groups

(Reuters) - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Friday proposed a September gathering between officials and business leaders from Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance in hopes of creating a tie-up between the two Latin American trade groups.

Mexico central bank board divided over rate cut decision

MEXICO CITY, June 20 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bank split over the decision to cut interest rates earlier this month, but the majority said slack in the economy and the prospect of moderating inflation gave it room to lower borrowing costs, minutes showed on Friday.

Brazil tries again to help industry with new measures

(Reuters) - The Brazilian government on Wednesday announced measures to help exporters and local factories, its latest attempt to bolster industries that have yet to benefit from earlier, costly efforts.

Argentina fears new crisis as vultures circle after US supreme court ruling

Argentinians, battered by decades of apparently cyclical economic crises, fear a new one following a US supreme court ruling this week that could make the country liable for up to $15bn (£11bn) owed to so-called "vulture funds".

Venezuela sees U.S. shale boom as bonus for own oil industry

LONDON (Reuters) - Venezuela wants to increase oil supplies to the United States to regain some of the market share it lost over the past decade as Caracas sees the U.S. boom in light oil from shale as a chance to raise heavy-crude exports, the country's oil minister said.

Other Views: Brazil's economy needs work

Brazil is favored to win this year’s World Cup. Yet the cost of hosting the games, along with some expensive promises made by a president seeking re-election, may turn any athletic triumph into a Pyrrhic victory.

Argentina's economy minister: from 'flaming Red' to pragmatic negotiator

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - When he became Argentina's economy minister late last year, many in the business community feared Axel Kicillof, who was once described by a critic as a "flaming Red Marxist," might plunge Latin America's No. 3 economy deeper into isolation in the name of ideology.

Chile central bank to cut growth forecast, raise inflation view

(Reuters) - Chile's central bank is expected to cut its official 2014 growth projection and upwardly revise the inflation forecast on Monday following months of persistent economic weakness and with inflation hovering above a five-year high.

Mexico sticking with 2014 growth forecast of 2.7 percent: finance minister

(Reuters) - Mexican Finance Minister Luis Videgaray on Wednesday stood by his government's recently downgraded economic growth forecast for 2014, saying activity is picking up, aided by signs of strength in the United States.

Argentina and Brazil Modify Auto Accord to Revive Falling Trade

Argentina and Brazil agreed to modify a bilateral vehicle trade accord in a bid to kick-start plunging trade between the neighboring countries.

Mexico annual inflation rate ticks up in May

MEXICO CITY, June 9 (Reuters) - Mexico's annual inflation rate ticked up in May, coming in slightly faster than expected after a surprise move last week by the country's central bank to cut interest rates to boost a sluggish economy.

Brazil Economists Cut Growth Estimates for This Year and Next

Brazil economists cut both 2014 and 2015 growth estimates for the second week in a row on signs that a period of waning economic activity has extended beyond the first quarter.

Ecuador Is Said to Plan Meetings for Bond Market Return

Ecuador is planning meetings with fixed-income investors and the country may follow with its first bond sale abroad since a $3.2 billion default five years ago, according to a person with knowledge of the plans.

Chile annual inflation reaches 4.7 pct, well above bank range

SANTIAGO, June 6 (Reuters) - Inflation in Chile rose to 4.7 percent in May on an annualized basis, to more than a five-year high.

Mexico central bank unexpectedly cuts rate to spur weak economy

(Reuters) - Mexico's central bank unexpectedly slashed interest rates to a record low on Friday, saying a sluggish economy gave it room for a one-off cut to spur growth without fanning inflation pressures.

EMERGING MARKETS-Latam stocks, currencies rise following ECB rate cut

SAO PAULO, June 5 (Reuters) - Latin American stocks and currencies gained on Thursday after the European Central Bank unleashed measures to support the euro zone economy, boosting the outlook for global liquidity and feeding risk appetite.

Mexico Bond Risk Set to Drop Below Chile for First Time

Mexico is on the verge of overtaking Chile as the safest destination for bond investors in Latin America.

Brazil Analysts See Lower Key Rate and Economic Growth This Year

Brazil analysts cut their 2014 key rate and economic growth forecasts, after the country’s gross domestic product slowed in the first quarter on the biggest investment drop in two years.

GE Sees $10 Billion Latin America Infrastructure Orders

General Electric Co. (GE) expects about $10 billion in orders in Latin America this year as an expanding middle class clamors for improved infrastructure from electricity and clean water to transportation.

Mexico manufacturing sentiment ticks up in May

(Reuters) - Mexico's manufacturing sector sentiment edged up in May, rising for a second month in a row off a five-month low, on improving new orders and employment even as output dipped amid a sluggish economic recovery.

Argentina Creditors Say Memo Shows Plan to Defy Courts

A lawyer for holders of defaulted Argentine bonds told a judge that a leaked legal memo may be “the smoking gun” showing the South American nation plans to defy U.S. courts and default again if the Supreme Court doesn’t review its case.

Brazil economy stuck in doldrums as Rousseff seeks re-election

(Reuters) - Brazil's economy barely grew in the first quarter as investment plunged, reflecting a broad malaise that has stirred recent labor unrest and street protests as President Dilma Rousseff seeks a second term.