Mexico’s Inflation Rate Fell to Record Low of 3.05% in October
Mexico’s annual inflation rate fell to a record low in October, adding to speculation that the central bank will keep cutting the benchmark lending rate to bolster economic growth.
Inflation was 3.05 percent in the 12 months through October, down from 3.51 percent in September, the central bank said. That’s the lowest annual inflation rate since the central bank began keeping records in 1969. Mexico’s monthly inflation rate fell to 0.25 percent in October from 0.4 percent the previous month.
The central bank, taking advantage of the slowdown in inflation, may reduce its overnight target rate to 7.75 percent by March from 9 percent today, said Alonso Cervera, an economist with Credit Suisse First Boston in New York.
“There’s room for the central bank to cut,'’ Cervera said. “At the same time, I expect the central bank to stop at a rate that is still seen as restrictive.'’
More: quote.bloomberg.com
Mexico's Inflation Rate Drops to Record Low in August (Update1)
Mexico's annual inflation rate fell to the lowest on record in August, adding to expectations that the central bank will cut the benchmark lending rate for a second straight month.
Inflation in the 12 months through August slowed to 3.95 percent, the lowest rate since the central bank began keeping records in 1969, from 4.47 percent in July. The monthly inflation rate dropped to 0.12 percent from 0.39 percent in July as the cost of cars and vegetables such as tomatoes and avocados fell.
``Inflation has been declining consistently and
Mexico Fixed-Rate Bond Yields to Rise on Inflation, Moreno Says
Mexico's fixed-rate peso bond yields may rise in 2006 as the inflation rate climbs from a record low, said Salvador Moreno, chief economist at ING Groep NV's Mexican unit.
The yield on fixed-rate bonds may rise as much as 30 basis points, or 0.3 percentage point, as higher-than-expected consumer price increases drive down already ``tight'' valuations, Moreno said. The annual inflation rate may climb as high as 3.9 percent in January, more than the 3.5 percent expected by many fund managers, he said.
``There's a risk that inflation expectations rise
Currency Strategists: BNP Says Mexico's Peso May Fall
The Mexican peso, up 4.5 percent versus the dollar this year, will drop in 2006 as the central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate amid slowing inflation, said Rafael de la Fuente, chief economist for Latin America at BNP Paribas SA.
The peso has dropped 1.4 percent since the central bank lowered its key rate by a greater-than-expected half a percentage point to 8.25 percent on Dec. 9, the fifth reduction since August. Mexico's currency may also decline on concern lower rates will reduce the yield advantage of domestic bonds.
``We still
UPDATE 1-Mexico central bank holds interest rates steady
Mexico's central bank held interest rates steady on Friday, although it is widely expected to push them lower again later this month to help a soft economy.
The central bank said in its twice-monthly policy review it was keeping its money market "short" unchanged at 79 million pesos a day and made no change to the country's overnight lending rate, which stands at 9.00 percent.
The short regulates overnight lending levels and was the central bank's main monetary policy weapon before it recently began explicitly telling markets how much rates should move.
With inflation under
Mexico's Central Bank Reduces Rates to Boost Economy (Update1)
Mexico's central bank reduced its benchmark lending rate for a second time in as many months to help jumpstart a slowing economy, taking advantage of slowing inflation.
The Bank of Mexico said in a statement it will allow the overnight rate to decline to 9.25 percent from 9.50 percent following a reduction of 0.25 percentage point at its Aug. 26 meeting, which marked the first time ever the central bank set a rate for the market.
``The Mexican economy reduced its expansion rate during the first half of the year, showing lower
Mexicos Peso Falls to Eight-Week Low Amid Inflation Concerns
Mexicos peso dropped to an eight- week low against the dollar and local-currency bonds fell on expectations inflation quickened last month.
The peso fell as much as 0.6 percent today before a report that is expected to show consumer prices rose 0.44 percent last month, the biggest increase in seven months, according to the median forecast of 16 economists in a Bloomberg survey. Accelerating inflation decreases the value of peso-denominated assets.
The inflation number today is going to look pretty bad, said Raul Rodriguez, head of economic analysis at Mexico City- based
Brazil, Mexico's Indexes Fall on U.S. Inflation: Latin Stocks
Brazil and Mexican benchmark stock indexes fell as higher-than-expected inflation in the U.S. raised concern interest rates may keep rising, reducing inflows to emerging markets.
Brazil's Bovespa index of the 57 most-traded stocks in the Sao Paulo stock exchange fell 514.20, or 1.7, to 29,727.41 at 2:13 p.m. New York time. The drop was led by state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA. In Mexico, the Bolsa fell 158.93, or 1 percent, to 15,123.80, led by America Movil, Latin America's largest wireless telephone company.
``Inflation there raises fears of lower growth and
Mexico inflation at 0.67 pct in first half November
Mexican consumer prices rose 0.67 percent in the first half of November, the central bank said on Thursday, slightly above expectations but not high enough to stop it from loosening monetary policy on Friday.
A Reuters poll of analysts had a median forecast of 0.65 percent.
Closely watched core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was 0.12 percent for the first half of the month, compared with expectations of 0.15 percent.
The central bank began easing rates on Aug. 26 to boost a sluggish economy weighed down by a limp manufacturing
UPDATE 1-Mexico 28-day T-bill yield falls to 7.92 pct
The yield on Mexico's benchmark 28-day Cetes, or T-bills, dropped six basis points to 7.92 percent on Tuesday as investors saw the central bank cutting interest rates further despite an uptick in inflation.
The rate on 90-day Cetes fell 12 basis points to 7.84 percent while the yield on six-month paper dropped 11 basis points to 7.77 percent.
An earlier Reuters survey of Cetes dealers had predicted the 28-day Cetes rate would fall eight basis points to 7.90 percent and that longer-term T-bill yields would also fall.
The yield on the 5-year peso-denominated bond
Latin American Stocks Decline, Led by Mexico, on Rate Concerns
Latin America's benchmark stock index fell to the lowest level in more than a month as rising interest rates worldwide prompt investors to pull money out of riskier securities such as equities.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International index of Latin American stocks fell 1.7 percent to 1879.60 as of 12:37 p.m. New York time, its lowest level since Sept. 5, led by Mexico's America Movil, Latin America's No. 1 wireless telephone company.
``Investors are getting out of volatility to go to safe havens,'' said Alfredo Rotemberg, who helps manage $220
