Most Latam FX slip as dollar firms; Mexican peso an outlier
Brazil's industrial output up 0.1% in August after July drop
Approval of Brazil's Lula slips ahead of local elections
Argentina budget cuts spark protests at universities
Latam FX up 0.6%, stocks add 0.8%
Updated at 3:42 p.m. ET/ 1942 GMT
By Shashwat Chauhan and Ankika Biswas
Oct 2 (Reuters) -Most Latin American currencies slipped on Wednesday, as the dollar firmed after a better-than-expected private payrolls data showed a stable labor market, adding to hopes that the Federal Reserve might not opt for another outsized interest rate cut.
The dollar index =USD climbed to a three-week high after data showed U.S. private payrolls increased more than expected in September, further evidence that labor market conditions were not deteriorating.
"Like yesterday's job openings total, today's ADP employment number surprised to the upside, suggesting the labor market is bending but not breaking," said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing at E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley.
"But Friday's monthly jobs report will have the final word on the current jobs picture, and more than likely, on near-term market sentiment."
Chile's peso CLP= was the worst hit, down 0.8%, while Peru's sol PEN= weakened 0.4%.
Brazil's real BRL= slipped 0.1% in choppy trading.Ratings agency Moody's upgraded Brazil's long-term issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings to Ba1 from Ba2, leaving the economy just one step away from regaining investment grade.
Data showed Brazil's industrial production grew in line with expectations in August, reversing some of the losses registered in the previous month despite high interest rates.
Mexico's peso MXN=, meanwhile, rose for the third straight day, firming almost 1% against the dollar a day afterClaudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico's first female president.
A poll showed Mexico's peso will recoup some losses in the medium term if the new government holds back from pressing more controversial changes like a judicial reform that has eroded market sentiment in recent months.
Further, Mexican central bank deputy governor Jonathan Heath said in an interview that the nation's benchmark interest rate should stay at its current level for longer.
Oil producer Colombia's peso COP= strengthened 0.7%, as crude oil prices remained elevated on risking geopolitical risks in the Middle East.
In latest developments, Israeli forces pushed into south Lebanon in a campaign against the Hezbollah armed group, a day after Iran fired missiles at Israel.
Israel's international bonds slipped across the board andthe country's default insurance costs rose to almost 12-year highs, after another ratings downgrade and rising fears the Middle East conflict will spread further.
MSCI's index for Latin American currencies .MILA00000CUS was last up 0.6%, while a gauge for stocks .MILA00000PUS added 0.8%.
Argentina's public universities will hold a massive demonstration on Wednesday, backed by unions and opposition parties, to protest against sharp public spending cuts implemented by President Javier Milei.
Elsewhere, Poland's central bank left interest rates unchanged, as expected, saying inflation should return to its target after the energy price shock fades.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** Brazil credit rating upgrade paves the way for reduced risk premium, officials say
** Ghana inflation rises in September as food prices surge
** Approval of Brazil's Lula slips ahead of mid-term local elections
Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies:
Stock indexes | Latest | Daily % change |
MSCI Emerging Markets .MSCIEF | 1186.47 | 1.18 |
MSCI LatAm .MILA00000PUS | 2251.72 | 0.82 |
Brazil Bovespa .BVSP | 133575.33 | 0.82 |
Mexico IPC .MXX | 52216.36 | -0.5 |
Chile IPSA .SPIPSA | 6391.8 | -0.88 |
Argentina MerVal .MERV | 1716498.29 | -0.71 |
Colombia COLCAP .COLCAP | 1297.67 | -0.72 |
Currencies | Latest | Daily % change |
Brazil real BRL= | 5.4443 | -0.14 |
Mexico peso MXN= | 19.4144 | 0.97 |
Chile peso CLP= | 911 | -0.8 |
Colombia peso COP= | 4181.44 | 0.68 |
Peru sol PEN= | 3.7197 | -0.4 |
Argentina peso (interbank) ARS=RASL | 970.0 | 0.00 |
Argentina peso (parallel) ARSB= | 1,195.0 | 2.05 |
Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Deepa Babington
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