- The Mexican Peso weakens after the release of lower inflation data.
- This is expected to speed-up interest-rate cuts by the Bank of Mexico, reducing inflows.
- The US Dollar resurfaces from the depths, reviving USD/MXN’s medium-term uptrend.
The Mexican Peso (MXN) seesaws between tepid gains and losses in its most heavily-traded pairs on Thursday after weakening for two days in a row. The Peso began to fall at the start of the week due to a pronounced risk-off tone permeating markets, which tends to disproportionately disadvantage emerging market currencies.
Sentiment soured as investors made clear their disappointment at the lack of stimulus measures announced by the China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) over the weekend. These concerns later eased, however, after China’s Finance Ministry said it would announce a fresh package of fiscal measures on October 12.
On Wednesday, the Peso continued to weaken following the release of lower-than-expected Mexican inflation data. This showed that in the 12 months to September the headline rate of inflation fell to 4.58%, from 4.99% recorded in August. A strengthening US Dollar (USD) supplied a further headwind.
The decline in inflation increases the probability of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) will make deeper cuts to interest rates in the near future. This, in turn, could reduce foreign capital inflows, resulting in lower demand for the Mexican Peso.
Mexican Peso could find support from new wage laws
The Mexican Peso might gain some support from new wage laws passed on Wednesday which enshrine in the constitution workers rights to see their wages rise in line with inflation.
“With 124 votes in favor, the Senate of the Republic approved in general and in particular the reform to establish the annual fixing of general or professional minimum wages, as well as their revision, and that they never be below inflation,” reported El Financiero.
“The purpose of the reform is to ensure that Mexicans’ income does not fall below inflation, which will favor their purchasing power. Therefore, year after year, increases or adjustments could be made based on inflation,” the report went on.
The benchmarking of wages to inflation could slow the disinflationary trend, if workers continue spending at current rates. In addition, if businesses pass on inflation-linked employee wage costs to consumers this will also maintain inflation.
Continued elevated inflation would, in turn, delay any cuts to interest rates planned by Banxico – or make the reductions more gradual – with the side-effect of propping up the Mexican Peso.
Sheinbaum takes control of Mexican Oil
The Mexican Peso has seen volatility due to rising political risk premia since the re-election of the Morena-led government in June and this could revive as foreign investors digest the news that President Claudia Sheinbaum is moving to take greater control of Mexico’s Oil state-backed industry.
On Wednesday, Mexico’s Congress debated the reclassification of two of Mexico’s largest Oil producers, Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission (FEC) with a view to increasing their control of the companies and renaming them as “public enterprises.” The change “would force them to prioritize the government’s social and economic objectives over corporate profits,” according to El Financiero.
The reform was initially proposed by Sheinbaum’s mentor and predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), and is expected to win the approval of the ruling coalition’s decisive majority in Congress.
Technical Analysis: USD/MXN starts rising from base of channel
USD/MXN starts to recover after touching the base of a medium-term rising channel.
USD/MXN Daily Chart
USD/MXN is probably starting a new uptrending leg within its ascending channel. The medium and longer-term trends are bullish, and given the technical analysis principle that “the trend is your friend,” this favors a continuation higher.
On October 4 the pair formed a bullish Japanese Hammer candlestick pattern at the base of the channel (orange rectangle on the chart). This was followed by a slightly bullish Japanese Doji candlestick and then two green up candles. This configuration marks the reversal of the short-term trend which is now technically bullish.
USD/MXN has just reached resistance at 19.51 (August 22 high) if it can break above 19.57 it will signal a clearance of this resistance and a probable continuation higher to the next upside target at around 19.83 (October 1 high).
Economic Indicator
12-Month Inflation
The 12-month inflation index released by the Bank of Mexico is a measure of price movements by the comparison between the retail prices of a representative shopping basket of goods and services. The purchase power of Mexican Peso is dragged down by inflation. The inflation index is a key indicator since it is used by the central bank to set interest rates. Generally speaking, a high reading is seen as positive (or bullish) for the Mexican Peso, while a low reading is seen as negative (or Bearish).
