Judge allows Citigroup to process Argentine bond payment

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge said Friday he would allow Citigroup Inc (C.N) to process a disputed $5 million payment by Argentina on bonds issued under its local laws following its 2002 default.

Colombia Holds Key Rate at 4.5% and Slows Dollar Purchases

Colombia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged and slowed its dollar purchase program after economic growth eased and the peso weakened to a six-month low.

Erasing Argentina's energy deficit could take a decade: YPF CEO

(Reuters) - It will take Argentina up to a decade and as much as $200 billion in investment to erase an energy output deficit, the chief executive officer of national oil company YPF (YPFD.BA) said in an interview on Friday.

Cuba promotes official who has led market-style reforms

(Reuters) - Cuban President Raul Castro granted more authority to the man who has led the campaign to modernize Cuba's socialist economy, naming Marino Murillo as economy and planning minister on Thursday, the government said.

Argentina exits recession in second quarter

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina exited recession with 0.9 per cent economic growth in the second quarter, national statistics institute INDEC said on Wednesday (Sep 24), a rare bit of good news amid the country's new debt default.

Peru Economy to Grow Less Than Forecast 3.5%: Velarde

Peru’s economy will expand less than policy makers forecast this year, central bank President Julio Velarde said, after falling metal prices hurt investment.

Colombian Peso Trades at Six-Month Low on Oil Revenue Concern

Colombia’s currency traded at a six-month low on concern falling oil prices will reduce funds entering the South American country and as policy makers decide this week whether to extend dollar purchases.

Mexico set to achieve 2.7 percent growth for 2014: Deputy Finance Minister

(Reuters) - The Mexican economy is on track to achieve the government's growth forecast of 2.7 percent for 2014, deputy finance minister Fernando Aportela said on Saturday.

Moody's Threatens Brazil Downgrade as Economy Stalls

Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday warned it may cut Brazil's credit rating in the next couple of years as the country's economy slows, piling pressure on the winner of October's presidential elections to change course on economic policy.

Most Mexico central bankers see inflation spike fading -minutes

MEXICO CITY, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bankers think that a recent spike in inflation will fade by early next year even as the economy picks up speed, minutes showed on Friday, suggesting that interest rates will remain steady into next year.

Investment in Latin America Falls 10% in First Half

RIO DE JANEIRO — Private equity and venture capital investments in Latin America dropped by 10 percent in the first half of this year compared with figures in the period a year earlier, the Latin American Private Equity and Venture Capital Association said on Thursday.

Brazil election may change diplomatic direction

SAO PAULO (AP) — More than a decade of Workers Party rule has seen Brazil prioritize ties with its leftist regional neighbors, from helping muscle socialist Venezuela into the Mercosur trade bloc to financing a billion-dollar transformation of an industrial port in Cuba.

Exclusive: Colombia may pre-finance 2015 borrowing needs - finance minister

(Reuters) - Colombian Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas said on Monday the government could start early to pre-finance some of its estimated $3 billion in 2015 borrowing needs by tapping international capital markets before year-end.

Peru cenbank says economic recovery likely slower than expected

LIMA, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Peru's central bank said on Friday that the economic recovery in July and August was likely less robust than previously expected as key indicators point to ebbing consumption.

Brazil’s Batista May Face Trial Within One Year, Lawyers Say

Brazil’s criminal case against former billionaire Eike Batista will be a complex one that may take a year to come to trial and as long as 10 years to be fully resolved, lawyers said.

Mexico revises 2013 GDP growth up to 1.4 percent on financial sector

(Reuters) - Mexico's economy grew at a rate of 1.4 percent in 2013, according to an upwardly revised estimate of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) reported by national statistics agency INEGI on Friday.

Chile's central bank cuts key rate, says easing helping economy

Chile's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the seventh time since October on Thursday, as forecast, continuing with its easing cycle to bolster a quickly decelerating economy.

Mexico July industrial output rises, led by manufacturing

MEXICO CITY, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Mexican industrial production bounced back in July, led by manufacturing, which grew at its fastest pace in six months as the economy picks up some speed after a weak start to the year.

Argentina says U.N. vote vindicates its debt fight against 'vultures'

(Reuters) - The Argentine government said on Wednesday that its refusal to repay a group of U.S. hedge funds that stand to profit on the country's defaulted debt was vindicated by the United Nations' support for a multilateral plan handling bond restructurings.

Venezuela's annual inflation rises to 63.4%

Venezuela's annual inflation rate has risen to 63.4%, the highest in Latin America, according to official figures published on Tuesday.

Moody's threatens to downgrade Brazil as economy stalls

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday warned it may cut Brazil's credit rating in the next couple of years as the economy slows down, piling pressure on whoever is elected president in October to change course on economic policy.

Argentina Says It’s No Venezuela as Price Cap Law Debated

A price fixing law under debate in Argentina’s Congress will be used sparingly to protect consumers and won’t track similar legislation in Venezuela that has led to widespread shortages, the nation’s commerce secretary said.

Mexico’s Pena Nieto Proposes 1% Deficit for 2015 Excluding Pemex

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto asked Congress to approve a budget deficit for next year of 1 percent of gross domestic product as the government seeks to trim its shortfall.

Mexico holds key interest rate, sees inflation easing over longer term

MEXICO CITY, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bank kept interest rates on hold on Friday, highlighting stronger economic growth and forecasting that inflation pressures would ease in the first half of 2015, boding for steady borrowing costs ahead.

Chile’s Growth Beats Forecasts After Vergara Calls for Calm

Chile’s economy expanded more than analysts expected in July, while wages grew at the fastest in five years, sparking the biggest rally in the peso since May.

Brazil Signals Key Rate on Hold Until Next Government Sworn In

Brazil’s central bank signaled borrowing costs will remain unchanged until at least the end of the current administration in December as policy makers are trapped between a recession and above-target inflation.

Chile market manipulation scandal takes toll on investor confidence

(Reuters) - Investor confidence in Chile has been shaken by a market manipulation scandal involving the former son in law of ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet, a business leader said on Wednesday as a union denounced the affair as "shameful."

Argentina export tax revenues fall in year to August

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Argentina's tax revenues increased roughly in line with inflation in the year to August, but a fall in export taxes underscored the ailing health of Latin America's third-biggest economy, which is in recession and has defaulted on its debt.

Brazil Swap Rates Drop as Economists Cut 2014 Growth Forecast

Brazil’s longer-term swap rates fell to a 12-month low as economists cut this year’s growth forecast after the country entered a recession, adding to speculation the central bank will limit further increases in borrowing costs.

Gov. Christie readies for Mexico trade trip

As he prepares to lead a trade mission to Mexico this week, Gov. Christie has been relatively silent on an issue vexing the Republican Party: immigration reform.