- Mexican Peso extends losses, pressured by inflation still above Banxico’s 2-4% goal despite recent declines.
- Economic data shows deceleration in Mexico’s GDP, hinting at potential for further rate adjustments by Banxico.
- US Dollar strengthens amid strong labor market data and Fed officials signaling potential rate cuts in September.
The Mexican Peso prolonged its agony and extended its losses to four straight days against the Greenback after data showed that inflation is coming down; but it remains above the Bank of Mexico’s (Banxico) 2 to 4% goal. The US Dollar appreciates against most currencies amid mixed economic data, yet the USD/MXN trades at 19.42 and gains 0.81%.
The USD/MXN bounced off daily lows of 19.24 as the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Geografia e Informatica (INEGI) revealed that August’s mid-month headline and core inflation dropped. This could warrant another Banxico adjustment to its main reference rate following the August 8 meeting.
Other data showed the economy is decelerating. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2024 ticked lower on an annual basis yet remains above the 2% threshold.
In the meantime, Banxico revealed its latest meeting minutes. On August 8, the central bank lowered rates to 10.75% in a split decision. The minutes showed that even though “the inflation outlook still calls for a restrictive monetary policy,” the “significant progress” on inflation suggested it was adequate to “reduce the level of monetary restriction.”
Jonathan Heath and Irene Espinosa, deputy governors voting against the decision to cut rates, expressed fears that jeopardizing the credibility of the Mexican central bank would be detrimental.
Across the border, the US economic docket revealed that the labor market remains strong despite cooling. While S&P Global PMIs were mixed, they showed that the economy in the services sector remains strong.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve (Fed) officials crossed the newswires, led by Susan Collins of the Boston Fed. She said that it would soon be appropriate to cut interest rates, adding that the labor market remains strong. Echoing her comments was Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker, who added they should ease policy in a slow and methodical approach and support a cut in the upcoming September meeting.
Ahead of the day, Banxico will release its August meeting minutes.
Daily digest market movers: Mexico Peso depreciates as economy remains tepid
- Mexico’s GDP in Q2 2024 was 2.1%, below estimates of 2.2% YoY, yet improved from Q1’s 1.6% growth.
- August mid-month inflation rose by 5.16% YoY, below estimates of 5.31%, and July’s 5.61% increase. Core figures ticked below the 4% threshold, from 4.02% to 3.98% YoY and beneath expectations for a 4.06% increase.
- US Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending August 17 rose by 232K and exceeded expectations of 230K, compared to a 228K jump the previous week.
- In August, the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI contracted for the second straight month from 49.6 to 48.0. The Services PMI expanded from 55.0 to 55.2, exceeding estimates of 54.0.
- US Existing Home Sales grew 1.3%, as expected, in August, from 3.9 million to 3.95 million.
Technical outlook: Mexican Peso pressured as USD/MXN climbs toward 19.50
The USD/MXN uptrend remains intact, yet traders face key resistance. Although momentum favors further upside as depicted by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), the pair needs to clear the psychological 19.50 figure. If that level is surpassed, the Peso could lose additional ground, as the exotic pair could aim toward 20.00, followed by the year-to-date (YTD) high of 20.22.
Conversely, if USD/MXN drops below 19.00, sellers could enter the market and drive the exchange rate toward the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 18.48. Further losses are seen once the pair slumps below 18.00, challenging the 100-day SMA at 17.75.
Banxico FAQs
The Bank of Mexico, also known as Banxico, is the country’s central bank. Its mission is to preserve the value of Mexico’s currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN), and to set the monetary policy. To this end, its main objective is to maintain low and stable inflation within target levels – at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%.
The main tool of the Banxico to guide monetary policy is by setting interest rates. When inflation is above target, the bank will attempt to tame it by raising rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money and thus cooling the economy. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Mexican Peso (MXN) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken MXN. The rate differential with the USD, or how the Banxico is expected to set interest rates compared with the US Federal Reserve (Fed), is a key factor.
Banxico meets eight times a year, and its monetary policy is greatly influenced by decisions of the US Federal Reserve (Fed). Therefore, the central bank’s decision-making committee usually gathers a week after the Fed. In doing so, Banxico reacts and sometimes anticipates monetary policy measures set by the Federal Reserve. For example, after the Covid-19 pandemic, before the Fed raised rates, Banxico did it first in an attempt to diminish the chances of a substantial depreciation of the Mexican Peso (MXN) and to prevent capital outflows that could destabilize the country.
