Mexico's peso slipped on Thursday after a drop in U.S. December retail sales boded poorly for Mexican exports while shares in wireless provider America Movil fell on news its planned to take over fixed-line firms.

The peso MXN=MEX01 lost 0.41 percent to 12.765 per U.S. dollar.

Data showing an unexpected 0.3 percent drop in U.S. retail sales last month raised concerns about the strength of the economic recovery in the United States, the destination for around 80 percent of Mexican exports.

Before Thursday's losses, the peso had gained 3 percent this year on bets Mexico will benefit from the U.S. recovery.

"The peso still feels strong but this data did not help," said a trader in Guadalajara.

The IPC stock index lost 0.43 percent to 32,695 as shares in America Movil fell 5.16 percent to 30.15 pesos.

America Movil, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, on Wednesday announced a share swap offer for Carso Global Telecom, which controls Slim's Mexican telecoms company Telmex and affiliate Telmex Internacional. America Movil is also seeking to buy up floating shares of Telmex Internacional.

The consolidation aims to create a provider with fixed-line telephone, mobile and Internet services across Latin America to better challenge rivals.
Shares in Telmex International gained 2.89 percent to 11.73 pesos. Telmex dipped 0.09 percent to 10.66 pesos and Carso Global Telecom gave up 0.13 percent to 62.65 pesos.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home