Mexico Prices Fall More Than Forecast as Electricity Tumbles

Mexico consumer prices fell more than expected in the first half of April, as the government phased in electricity discounts and a weak economic recovery limited inflationary pressures.

Chile’s Unemployment Rate Climbs to 6.5% as Growth Slows

Chile’s jobless rate rose in the three months through June from the year earlier as economic growth slowed to the weakest pace in four years.

Brazil's jobless rate returns to record low; inflation rises

SAO PAULO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Brazil's jobless rate returned to record lows in November, and inflation accelerated, government data showed on Thursday, suggesting consumer spending remained steady despite several interest rate increases and a sharp economic slowdown.

Brazil needs reforms, policy predictability to grow faster - IMF

BRASILIA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Brazil must take more decisive action to raise productivity and boost private investment if it is to restore robust growth to its once-booming economy, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.

Brazil Consumers Start Getting Tired

Brazil is facing increasing headwinds. The economy is sputtering along, doing better than last year’s meager 0.9% growth, but growth forecasts are now being revised downward.

Brazil Central Bank: Regional Data Shows Mixed Recovery

BRASILIA--Brazil's economy showed a mixed recovery midway through the second quarter despite still the ample availability of credit locally, the country's central bank said Monday.

Brazil Real Falls From Two-Week High as Central Bank Intervenes

Brazil’s real dropped from a two- week high after the central bank auctioned reverse currency swaps to support exporters by preventing appreciation.

Mexico lower house approves diluted labor reform

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's lower house of Congress on Friday gave provisional approval to a bill that would mark the biggest shake-up of the country's labor market in four decades.

Mexico jobless rate rises more than expected in August

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's jobless rate rose in August, breaking a five-month streak of declines and adding to expectations of a deceleration in Latin America's second-largest economy in the second half of 2012.

Bets on Brazil Recovery Hold Unemployment at Record Lows

Brazilian metal worker Danilo Gritti didn’t lose his job in a Mercedes-Benz (DAI) bus and truck plant when demand slackened earlier this year.

Chile Keeps Rate on Hold as Economy Resists Europe Contagion

Chile’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fourth consecutive month as surging domestic demand and a deterioration in the global economy leave little scope to change monetary policy.

Brazil Unemployment Rate Edged Higher in February

RIO DE JANEIRO—Brazil's unemployment rate rose for a second straight month in February as companies continued to dismiss workers they had hired for the busy year-end holiday season, although the still-tight labor market pushed salaries to a record high.

Analysis: Mexico 2012 frontrunner stirs reform optimism

(Reuters) - Investors frustrated with years of gridlock on economic reforms in Mexico now believe the best chance for progress lies with the party that has done most to prevent change over the last decade.