Mexico

Mexico Set-Up for Innovation February 15, 2018

Pablo Soria de Lachica Examines How Mexico is Set-Up for Innovation

With the 13th largest economy in the world (11th in terms of purchasing power and 10th most populous), Mexico sits abreast of the largest and most competitive international economic markets of our times. In 2017, the Mexican economy defied lackluster predictions for financial health by posting above average GDP growth. While much of this success was linked to trade, market analyst Pablo Soria de Lachica explains that structural reforms by the current administration have led to a freer private sector, open to dynamic business formations characterized by innovation and technology-driven enterprises. The Mexican government has steadily increased expenditures on research and experimental development,from 0.4% of GDP to 1% by 2018. This includes considerable investment in agencies such as CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología-National Council for Science and Technology) who receive upwards of $2.2 billion annually, despite cutbacks to other sectors. A large portion of CONACYT funding is directed towards sustainable/renewable energy, health and green development. Pablo Soria de…

Inflation Prognosis for Mexico February 8, 2018

Pablo Soria de Lachica Discusses Inflation Prognosis for Mexico

After a year of reactionary fluctuations that began to steady in the later part of 2017, Mexico’s inflation rate appears poised for a stable decrease heading into 2018, barring any setbacks to the peso’s exchange rate. Pablo Soria de Lachica, internationally recognized broker, discusses the country’s long term inflation outlook, expressing cautious optimism moving forward after an eventful 12 month period that witnessed the nation’s currency hitting a 16-year high in September. Mexico’s inflation rate averaged 25.19 percent from 1974 until 2017, peaking at 179.73 percent in February of 1988, with an all-time low of 2.13 percent in December of 2015. Likewise, the beginning of 2017 was somewhat tumultuous for the peso, evidenced by a record low against the U.S. dollar during early January, when it dwindled to 22.0 MXN/USD. This was attributed to widespread pessimism towards the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following the 2016 United States…

Property Market December 13, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – Discusses Impact of Mexico Earthquakes on Local Property Market

Mexico was struck by three earthquakes in the month of September, with the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico City on September 19 causing widespread damage to municipal infrastructure, in addition to over two hundred deaths. The capital is home to 27% of the country’s population and generates 17% of its national gross domestic product. As the city implements reconstruction plans, Pablo Soria de Lachica points to improved building codes since the 1980s as a key factor in the reduced number of casualties relative to the capital’s infamous 1985 quake, in which 10,000 people lost their lives. According to the LA Times, city officials reported the earthquake affected 7,649 properties, of which 321 buildings are now considered uninhabitable. Shortly after the disaster, the city announced a 3 billion pesos reconstruction plan, making financial aid and loans available to residents commensurate with degrees of damage. The destruction of property caused demand for housing in neighborhoods surrounding affected areas to rise by 50%. In…

Mexican Businesses December 5, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – Examines Prospects for Mexican Businesses in Earthquake-Affected Regions

In September of 2017, two separate earthquakes just weeks apart brought a great deal of destruction and casualties to Mexico City and the states of Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca and Chiapas. The aftermath of these tragedies revealed a death toll that climbed well over 400, completely leveled over 60 buildings, and left thousands of other structures with significant damage. The effects will continue to linger in several ways for an extended amount of time, as these regions focus on recovery with not only their infrastructure and housing, but their respective business environments as well. Globally-renown businessman and foreign exchange expert Pablo Soria de Lachica discusses the financial prospects for the areas affected by these earthquakes, highlighting positive projections over the long term as they rebuild and move on. Shortly following the quakes throughout Mexico, the initial fallout was easy to see. Many businesses were total losses, while others sustained heavy damages that would prevent them from…

Investment Opportunities November 21, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – on Investment Opportunities in Aftermath of Mexico Earthquakes

On Sept. 19, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico City, destroying billions of dollars worth of homes, businesses and infrastructure. The local and surrounding economies took an expected downturn following the disaster, but analysts are confident that reconstruction efforts will spur growth across the nation. Internationally acclaimed broker Pablo Soria de Lachica explains that investment opportunities will be ample throughout the recovery efforts. The week after the earthquake, Alfredo Coutino, Latin American director for Moody’s Analytics, reported a preliminary estimate that Mexico could lose between 0.1 and 0.3 percent off their gross domestic product (GDP) in the third and fourth quarters. For the full year the impact will be small as funds are expected to pour into the economy as the federal government releases disaster funds. As of June, the city’s disaster fund stood at 9.4 billion pesos (more than $500 million), making it slightly larger than the national holding. Mexico’s education ministry also has 1.8 million…

English September 22, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – Summarizes the Recent Rise of the Mexican Peso

The aggressive monetary policy of the Bank of Mexico – raising benchmark interest rate to an 8 year high of 6.75% in May – has driven the peso to its top mark of 18.3345 on July 6 against the U.S. dollar. Pablo Soria de Lachica, world renowned broker, discusses the recent hike. As the North American Free Trade Agreement remained unchanged, the peso tore up the ranks becoming the world’s best performing major currency this year, and reestablished its 20% downtrend for USD/MXN. “The peso has had good momentum relative to other emerging currencies in recent months, and that could continue for some time longer,” said Morgan Harting, chief portfolio manager for all multi-asset income strategies at AllianceBernstein, a renowned asset management company, “And though it is no longer cheap, it also does not look expensive in terms of purchasing…

English August 16, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – On Mexico’s Improving Business Confidence

The Mexican economy has been weathering significant fluctuations over the last several years. A great deal of financial uncertainty in the country followed the election of United States presidential elections in late 2016, contributing to a downturn that carried over into 2017. However, it now appears the nation’s economic climate is on the rebound for the long term. International businessman and foreign exchange expert Pablo Soria de Lachica highlights the factors behind the upward swing, and discusses the improving Business Confidence of the Mexican economy, which includes the retaining of current trade agreements, corporate investments, and lowering inflation rates. The first quarter of 2017 signaled a decline for Mexico monetarily, with Business Confidence hitting a low mark of 43.53 in February — a stark contrast to September of 2016 when it reached 48.30. Since then, positive overtones from the…

English August 11, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica – Discusses Ways Mexico is Set-Up for Innovation

With the 13th largest economy in the world (11th in terms of purchasing power and 10th most populous), Mexico sits abreast of the largest and most competitive international economic markets of our times. In 2017, the Mexican economy defied lackluster predictions for financial health by posting above average GDP growth, demonstrating resilience in the face of unpopular and aggressive foreign policy tactics from the US Trump Administration to the North. While much of this success was linked to trade—Mexico holds 11 free trade agreements with 46 countries with a total value of imports/exports estimated around 73 percent of Gross Domestic Product, market analyst Pablo Soria de Lachica explains that structural reforms by the current administration have led to a freer private sector, open to dynamic business formations characterized by innovation and technology-driven enterprises. The Mexican government has steadily increased expenditures…

English July 30, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica On Mexico’s Leading Bank Facing Competition

BBVA Bancomer, the largest bank in Mexico in terms of assets held, is facing renewed competition from both its larger rivals and more “middle-sized” challengers. Banco del Bajío launched an IPO (Initial Public Offering) last month that many experts believe will be the first of many such enticements from smaller banks as the country’s bigger financial institutions continue to deal with other obstacles. Pablo Soria de Lachica, a foreign exchange specialist based in Mexico City, says that despite ongoing political uncertainties and slower-than-estimated annual economic growth, Mexico remains an enticing location for investors. Pablo Soria de Lachica claims that one of Mexico’s most apparent weaknesses may in fact be one of its greatest strengths when it comes to investing. The Mexican peso, though weaker than several other currencies such as the dollar or the euro, allows buyers to take advantage…

English July 22, 2017

Pablo Soria de Lachica Explains Mexico’s Start-up Boom

In Latin America, Mexico is experiencing a major move toward flourishing new businesses in technology, communications and other industries. Recent developments in innovation are bringing additional interest south of the border. Some of the cause for the emerging market continuing to invite a large number of new corporations can be attributed to generational and cultural shift from conventional financial and corporate practices. Pablo Soria de Lachica describes the reasons and potential results, as well as what expectations are for the coming year and into the future. Mexico is fast becoming the leader in Latin America, as a growing hub for the tech-industry. Last year more than $1 billion in investments bringing more than 70 new start-ups began changing the face of corporate culture in the country. For the first time in recorded history, they surpassed everywhere else in Latin America…