Mexico Bolsa Has Weekly Drop, Led by Walmex; Vale Leads Decline in Brazil

(Bloomberg) -- Mexican stocks had their first weekly decline since mid-March, led by retailer Wal-mart de Mexico SAB, as an unexpected interest rate increase by the central bank fanned concerns that profit growth is slowing.

The index of the most-traded stocks in Mexico City today rose 30.23, or 0.1 percent, to 29,372.93, paring its weekly loss to 1.5 percent. Brazil's Bovespa index was off 0.4 percent for the week, after rising 161.91, or 0.3 percent today to 49,229.60.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News

U.S. can't alter "dolphin-safe" tuna rules

(Reuters) - The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to back the standards is the latest in a long-running dispute on what tuna sold in the United States can be labeled "dolphin safe" -- a designation that means tuna is fished using practices that protect dolphins.

Previous such decisions have angered Mexican and South American fishing industries.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

UPDATE 1-EU's Barroso: strong euro sign of strong economy

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, April 27 - A strong euro is a sign of a robust European economy and not a cause for concern, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Friday.

"We don't consider the euro too strong," Barroso told reporters following a speech at the New York Stock Exchange, "A strong currency is a good thing, it's a signal of confidence in the European economy."


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Dollar Slides to Record Low Against Euro as Report Shows U.S. Growth Slows

(Bloomberg) -- The dollar dropped to an all-time low against the euro after the U.S. government reported the economy grew at its slowest pace in four years.

The dollar also weakened against most other major currencies, with a Federal Reserve index measuring dollar strength near the lowest level in its 36-year history. The U.S. currency pared its decline against the euro after the record low triggered buy orders.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

UPDATE 1-Peru miners say strike very likely despite talks

(Reuters) - LIMA, April 27 - Peru's largest miners union said on Friday a nationwide strike set for Monday looked increasingly inevitable, but it would meet again with government officials in the afternoon to try to reach a deal.

Luis Castillo, president of the National Federation of Metallurgic and Steel Miners, told Reuters: "The decision has been made. There is no turning back on the strike."


Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Platinum Ends Longest Weekly Rally Since May After Russia Resumes Exports

(Bloomberg) -- Platinum futures fell in New York, ending the longest weekly rally since May, after Russia allowed producers including OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel to resume exports. Palladium was little changed.

Norilsk, Russia's biggest platinum producer, was among companies that received new licenses to ship platinum, rhodium and other group metals, Interfax news agency reported April 25. Norilsk, also the world's biggest palladium producer, hadn't exported platinum-group metals since its license expired Jan. 1.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

UPDATE 1-Chile's Falabella 1st qtr net profit up 20.2 pct

(Reuters) - The retailer, which also owns home improvement stores and is active in Argentina, Peru and Colombia as well as Chile, said its profit in the first three months of the year was 51.323 billion pesos , compared to 42.695 billion pesos in the same period a year earlier.

The median forecast of five analysts polled by Reuters was 50.963 billion pesos.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News