Macroeconomics

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.