Most recent article: Mexican Peso mixed after Monday's sell-off from weak data and Banxico comments
- Mexican Peso pulls back after gaining over 1.50% last week, pressured by weaker Consumer Confidence.
- Banxico Governor Rodriguez justifies recent 25 bps rate cut amid 3-2 split decision, citing transitory inflation effects.
- Market focus shifts to key US inflation and retail sales data, USD gains momentum ahead of the releases.
The Mexican Peso retreats on Monday after posting solid gains of over 1.50% last week against the Greenback, with the latter posting decent gains ahead of a busy economic docket in the United States. Meanwhile, Consumer Confidence in Mexico dipped in July, which could be a prelude to the ongoing economic slowdown. The USD/MXN trades at 19-05 and gains over 1%.
Mexico’s National Statistics Agency announced that consumers grew less optimistic about the economic outlook and printed the second lowest reading since May’s 46.8 reading, revealed the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Geografia e Informatica (INEGI).
In addition, Bank of Mexico (Banxico) Governor Victoria Rodriguez Ceja said in an interview with El Financiero that elements justified a 25-basis-point (bps) rate cut to the main reference rate amid a 3-2 split decision.
She acknowledged that despite headline inflation hitting 5.57%, she insisted it was unrelated to core prices, which decreased for the 18-straight month and reached 4.05% in July.
“We expect these effects of the shocks that we observe in non-core inflation to be transitory, so we are still expecting headline inflation to return to its target at the same time, at the end of 2025,” Rodriguez noted.
The USD/MXN depreciated following Banxico’s decision. Yet traders are laser-focused on the release of US inflation figures on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by Retail Sales data on Thursday and Friday’s University of Michigan (UoM) Consumer Sentiment.
Daily digest market movers: Mexican Peso is heavy following Banxico’s cut
- Banxico’s board revealed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to rise to 5.2% in Q3 and to edge lower to 4.4% in Q4, both readings for the remainder of 2024. They expect it will reach the 3% plus or minus 1% goal by Q4 2025.
- The board updated its inflation forecasts, indicating that headline inflation is expected to rise in the short term but remain unchanged in the longer term. Core inflation is projected to edge lower and dip below 4% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
- Mexico’s central bank acknowledged that inflationary risks remain tilted to the upside, while growth is biased to the downside.
- The CME FedWatch Tool shows the odds of a 50-basis-point interest rate cut by the Fed at the September meeting at 47.5%, down from 52.5% last Friday.
Technical analysis: Mexican Peso depreciates as USD/MXN rallies above 18.90
The USD/MXN uptrend resumed on Monday after hitting a six-day low of 18.76, yet traders had lifted the exchange rate past 18.90 with buyers eyeing a test of the psychological 19.00 figure.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is above the 50-neutral line, hinting that momentum favors buyers, which could push the exchange rate upward.
If USD/MXN clears 19.00, the next resistance would be 19.50, followed by the key 20.00 mark. A decisive break will expose the YTD high at 20.22, followed by the 20.50 mark.
Conversely, and in the most unlikely scenario in the short term, the USD/MXN’s first support would be the August 9 low 18.76. If surpassed, the next demand zone would be the June 28 peak at 18.59, followed by the psychological 18.50 mark.
Mexican Peso FAQs
The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the most traded currency among its Latin American peers. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Mexican economy, the country’s central bank’s policy, the amount of foreign investment in the country and even the levels of remittances sent by Mexicans who live abroad, particularly in the United States. Geopolitical trends can also move MXN: for example, the process of nearshoring – or the decision by some firms to relocate manufacturing capacity and supply chains closer to their home countries – is also seen as a catalyst for the Mexican currency as the country is considered a key manufacturing hub in the American continent. Another catalyst for MXN is Oil prices as Mexico is a key exporter of the commodity.
The main objective of Mexico’s central bank, also known as Banxico, is to maintain inflation at low and stable levels (at or close to its target of 3%, the midpoint in a tolerance band of between 2% and 4%). To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, Banxico will attempt to tame it by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for households and businesses to borrow money, thus cooling demand and the overall 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.
Macroeconomic data releases are key to assess the state of the economy and can have an impact on the Mexican Peso (MXN) valuation. A strong Mexican economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for MXN. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to increase interest rates, particularly if this strength comes together with elevated inflation. However, if economic data is weak, MXN is likely to depreciate.
As an emerging-market currency, the Mexican Peso (MXN) tends to strive during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and thus are eager to engage with investments that carry a higher risk. Conversely, MXN tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD clings to gains near 1.1100 as USD struggles to rebound
EUR/USD builds on Thursday's gains and trades in positive territory near 1.1100 in the American session on Friday. The US Dollar struggles to hold its ground despite the upbeat consumer sentiment data for September, allowing the pair to stretch higher.
GBP/USD edges higher toward 1.3150 on improving risk mood
GBP/USD edges higher toward the 1.3150 area in the second half of the day on Friday. The improving risk mood, as reflected by rising US stock indexes, makes it difficult for the USD to find demand and supports the pair heading into the weekend.
Gold climbs to new record-high above $2,580
Gold preserves its bullish momentum and trades near $2,580 after setting a new record-high slightly above this level. The 10-year US Treasury bond yield stays in the red below 3.7% as markets reassess the odds of a large Fed rate cut, helping XAU/USD push higher.
Crypto Today: WazirX exploiter moves nearly $12 million Ether to new address, Bitcoin, ETH post gains
Bitcoin trades above $58,000 at the time of writing, adding 2% to its value this week. Ethereum hovers around $2,300 as WazirX exchange exploiter moves 5,000 Ether to a new wallet address and a crypto mixer.
European Central Bank widely expected to cut interest rates in September
The European Central Bank is expected to cut key rates by 25 bps at the September policy meeting. ECB President Christine Lagarde’s presser and updated economic forecasts will be closely scrutinized for fresh policy cues.
Moneta Markets review 2024: All you need to know
VERIFIED In this review, the FXStreet team provides an independent and thorough analysis based on direct testing and real experiences with Moneta Markets – an excellent broker for novice to intermediate forex traders who want to broaden their knowledge base.