Real Drops Amid Signs Brazil Faces Worst Recession in 25 Years

The real fell the most among major currencies as Brazil braced for its worst recession in 25 years after the central bank reported that the economy contracted more than forecast in April.

Brazil’s economy falters, but worse may be to come

The signs that Brazil’s economy is in trouble have been visible for a while now, but the worst could be still to come.

Brazil posts unexpected primary deficit in February

BRASILIA, March 31 (Reuters) - Brazil posted an unexpected primary budget deficit of 2.3 billion reais ($721 million) in February, central bank data showed on Tuesday, highlighting the challenges the government faces in achieving its closely watched fiscal goal this year.

Mexico Central Bank Cuts ’15 GDP Forecast for Second Time

(Bloomberg) -- Mexican policy makers reduced their 2015 growth forecast for the second time following a slump in global oil prices and a decline in domestic output.

Peru to Cut Income and Profit Taxes in $3.9 Billion Stimulus

Peru’s government plans to cut taxes for companies and workers and increase spending to offset a slump in investment hurting the $202 billion economy.

Brazil's Rousseff asks Congress for flexible fiscal goal for 2014

(Reuters) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday asked Congress to allow the government to deduct all of its investments and tax exemptions from a key 2014 fiscal target, effectively lowering a goal that it will miss for the third straight year.

Argentina default spreads to Par bonds, risking payment demands

(Reuters) - Argentina's debt default spread to its Par bonds on Friday after the country failed to complete an interest payment, raising the risk that creditors could demand that the country's cash-strapped government immediately repay all of its debt.

Argentina Questions IMF Forecast Accuracy After Data Overhaul

Six months after overhauling its statistical data under pressure of sanctions by the International Monetary Fund, Argentina is taking the fund to task for what it says are inaccurate forecasts.

Brazil's economy falls into recession, latest figures show

Brazil has fallen into recession, just a month before the general election, latest figures show.

Mexico creates special force for economic crime

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico launched a special 5,000-strong police force Friday to combat industrial, farm and business crime that has extended throughout the country's economy, strangling commerce in some regions.

Argentine economy shrinks in fourth quarter on lower exports

BUENOS AIRES, May 9 (Reuters) - Argentine gross domestic product contracted 0.4 percent in the last three months of 2013 after expanding 1.0 percent in the previous quarter, official data showed on Friday, pointing to growing weakness in Latin America's No. 3 economy.

Brazil current account deficit narrows on trade surplus, still large

BRASILIA, April 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's current account deficit narrowed in March after an improvement in the trade balance, but it was still the nation's second largest on record for that month, central bank data showed on Friday.

Argentine GDP Warrants Drop After Payment Ruled Out

Argentine securities tied to economic growth tumbled after Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich said the government won’t make a $3.6 billion payment on the notes following a revision of gross domestic product data.

In El Salvador, a glimmer of hope for a stronger economy

FORTUNE -- Twenty-one-year-old Cesar Canas flashes a winning smile as he pitches his latest business idea: a shrimp farm that recycles its liquids rather than drawing daily on El Salvador's limited water supply.

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.

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.

Moody's could cut Brazil rating outlook if economy disappoints

SAO PAULO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Moody's Investors Service could cut Brazil's rating outlook later this year if the economy disappoints in the first half of 2014, Mauro Leos, the firm's senior credit analyst for Brazil, said on Monday.

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.

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.

Brazil's Hamilton: Inflation to Move to Target on Nonlinear Path

BRASILIA--Brazil's inflation will move in the direction of a 4.5% annual target set by the government, though in a nonlinear manner, central bank economic department director Carlos Hamilton said Thursday.