Brazil
The Middle East has gone bust faster than anyone could have imagined. However, Brazil is still on the radar and LatAm may still be a long-term beneficiary of Gulf wealth.
LatAm companies and funds hoping to find a pot of gold in the Gulf desert are in for a shock. The Middle East was, until very recently, a viable new source of fresh capit...
Mexico
Mexico’s worst sovereign bond issue in years has unsettled the market and suggests more rough times ahead for LatAm issuers.
Merrill Lynch’s Latin America chairman Carlos Gutierrez has left the firm, retiring after 20 years. The exit of such a widely respected veteran financier is a major LatAm...
Equity
Brazil, LatAm’s largest and most liquid equity market has in February become the focus of a healthy debate. Analysts disagree on how to play the Bovespa, following a 32% ...
M&A
LatAm M&A has been most active in the energy and mining industries, with some deals even surpassing the $1 billion mark.
Proving that Mexico remains a relative hotbed for LatAm securitization, a pair of issuers from the housing sector have surfaced. The two deals carry different degrees of ...
People Corporate & Sovereign Strategy
After 15 years at the top of Itaú, Roberto Setubal has made it the biggest bank in LatAm. Savvy deal making is at the heart of his world-class financial institution.
After rising to the top at UBS, André Esteves is back with a global boutique. As markets continue to rupture, the Brazilian financier sees nothing but opportunity.
After a protracted growth spurt, Brazilian hedge funds were hammered last year by losses and redemptions. They may be poised for rebound as rates tumble.
Bimbo sealed a $2.5 billion US acquisition despite tight credit and a highly uncertain outlook. The bread maker bets demand holds steady both sides of the border.
Once celebrated as groundbreaking, Cap Cana’s 2006 structured bond is a battleground for some LatAm bondholders. Cap Cana says it seeks a pragmatic solution.
Chile
Wal-Mart’s recent Chile buy has raised expectations of more LatAm deals to come from the retail behemoth. Others will likely join the shopping spree.
Europe
LatAm is better prepared for global crisis, and appears relatively comfortable versus Eastern Europe. But it is being hammered more than initially expected.
Energy sector consolidation looks set to continue, fueled by incoming Europeans, growing large locals and cash-strapped exiting small caps.
Economy & Policy
Markets almost collapsed during the 2002 election, when Lula first took power. Less volatility is expected in 2010, and José Serra leads the polls.
Large Brazilian metal producers are well capitalized and scouting opportunity. Incremental, opportunistic asset purchases by deep-pocketed firms look likely.
Private equity is the last man standing in the capital supply game. But fund raising prospects have sharply deteriorated and caution reigns.
The crisis has claimed some high profile Mexican corporate scalps. But there are still some stalwarts worth looking at, say analysts.
Mexico’s markets are stalled, but investors remain confident about long-term prospects. Recovery will be painful, but perhaps include long-awaited structural changes.
Mexico’s companies need private capital more than ever, while seller reluctance and lingering regulatory hurdles deter deals.
Colombia
Colombia’s 55 trillion peso ($22 billion) infrastructure investment plan, launched to offset global recession, faces investor skepticism.
Caribbean
The implosion of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest conglomerates deals a double blow to what until last year was among the Caribbean’s most prosperous nations.
Jamaica could shrink faster than that of any other Caribbean country as key industries from bauxite to sugar to tourism get smacked hard.
Tourism-dependent Barbados has little to be optimistic about in 2009. High taxes, a struggling manufacturing sector and falling tourism are a drag.
The Dominican Republic expects more FDI and remains optimistic. External analysts are less bullish, anticipating GDP shrinkage.
Peru
Peru’s construction industry is responding with gusto to a call from the government to keep building. The fastest-growing LatAm economy hopes to mitigate the pain of...