Countries/Regions

Spread compression and an acquisition boom would suggest Argentina is emerging from a decade-long slump. Markets may be poised to correct since little has changed.

Banco de Chile has priced a...

André Esteves is deploying simple concepts and hard work to take BTG Pactual global. He inspires a new generation of homegrown financial entrepreneurs.

Aeromexico aims to raise around MXP3.1bn...

Valepar, the controlling shareholder of Vale,...

Despite central bank intervention that pushed local rates higher, Chile’s local corporate debt market should remain active. Bankers expect similar volume to 2010.

DCM got off to a fast start in 2011, with investors appearing to get their wish for more diverse and higher yielding offers.

There’s a war going on in the second biggest LatAm economy, but no one in its capital seems particularly bothered.

A hearty new equity issuance pipeline is building in LatAm, though, as at the beginning of 2010, friction between buyers and sellers threatened to poison the punch.

Brazil is finally doing something about its unsophisticated and illiquid corporate debt market, targeting foreign investor participation. But the buyside wants more.

Citi has appointed Andre Kok as head of Brazil CIB, according to São Paulo-based sources.

In the year through February 23, a total of 212 M&A deals worth $18.7 billion was reported, according to Dealogic.

Asian wealth managers are looking to raise equity exposure while diversifying bond investment in LatAm. The opportunities will continue to grow alongside trade.

The financial benefits to Costa Rica of diplomatic ties with China may spur others in Central America to follow. Those recognizing Taiwan still get Chinese energy dollars.

Fund outflows and investor resistance have hurt this year’s equity pipeline, which hurts small and mid-cap issuers. The buyside remains optimistic, particularly on the consumer sector.

With one eye on the 2014 World Cup and the other on Congress, the new president is hatching a master plan to renovate Brazil’s overcrowded, overburdened and trouble-ridden airport system.

Mexican mortgages face an image problem after a rough few years. Getting the sector functioning again is essential to attracting sufficient funds to tackle a looming crisis.

Pemex has been making changes to try and resuscitate oil output. They may not be enough to fully exploit Mexico’s potentially huge untapped resources.

Mexico’s macroeconomic environment is in good shape, but reforms are required to draw further investment. The drug war weighs on GDP expansion.

Peru’s solid economic performance puts pressure on both government and private sector to ramp up infrastructure projects to keep the boom going. Building material demand is surging.

Devastating floods that have wreaked havoc on Colombia’s roads and highways are forcing a rethink in government. This could boost the infrastructure investment climate.

Demand for agricultural commodities is rising fast, propelling Argentine producers. However, they require significant investment to fully tap the country’s potential.

Odebrecht is using an auction structure to bring private-public financing to a Peruvian infrastructure project. The financing format may be used elsewhere in LatAm.

Market observers responded positively to Televisa’s...

Praised for a speedy earthquake response, Chile again leads the LatAm finance ministry pack. Capital controls hurt Brazil, while Argentina finally draws some praise.

Grupo Supervielle, the parent of Argentina’s...

Chilean retailers have unveiled aggressive expansion plans for 2011. Bottom line growth and stock performance are not expected to hit last year’s heady pace.

Apax Partners last year announced its first deal in Brazil and is actively building a pipeline in LatAm. More European private equity firms are following its lead.

With huge infrastructure needs in the next few years, Brazilian issuers are innovating to fund participants in the oil supply chains and other infrastructure channels.