Latam currencies slip as US growth surprise bolsters dollar

Updated at 10:33 a.m. ET/ 1433 GMT

By Shashwat Chauhan

Aug 29 (Reuters) –Most Latin American currencies slipped against the dollar on Thursday, as the U.S currency firmed after data indicated that the world’s largest economy might avoid a recession, with Brazil’s real the worst hit.

The dollar index =USD perked up after data showed the U.S. economy grew faster than initially thought in the second quarter amid strong consumer spending, while weekly jobless claims slipped last week.

“While it’s encouraging to see less evidence of a recession, today’s numbers potentially argue against the idea of continuous rate cuts by the Fed,” David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation said.

Markets are all but convinced that the U.S. Federal Reserve will its monetary policy when it meets in September following Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish pivot last week.

The Fed’s preferred inflation measure – the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index – due on Friday – could offer hints on the size of potential rate cuts.

Brazil’s real BRL= led losses in the region with a 1.7% drop, touching three-week lows, while Chile’s peso CLP= shed 0.8%.

Chile’s central bank is expected to lower its benchmark interest rate to 5.50% at its next monetary policy meeting in September, a poll of traders released by the bank showed.

Colombia’s peso COP= also slipped 0.8% to hit more than a three-week low against the dollar, while Peru’s sol PEN= dipped 0.6%.

The Mexican peso MXN= weakened 1.5%, resuming its string of losses this week after a small uptick in the last session.

Mexico’s currency has come under pressure as investors grew wary after lawmakers pushed forward with a controversial judicial reform, which calls for the popular election of over 7,000 judges and magistrates, including Supreme Court justices.

MSCI’s index for Latin American currencies .MILA00000CUS slipped 2.1%, while a gauge for stocks .MILA00000PUS dropped 2.4%.

The benchmark index .BVSP of regional heavyweight Brazil dipped 0.6%, while shares in Colombia .COLCAP shed 0.2%.

Shares of Brazilian airline Azul AZUL4.SA dropped more than 20% in early trade following a media report that the company is considering options to rework its debt.

HIGHLIGHTS

** Chile unemployment rate hits 8.7% in quarter through July

** Ghana to launch debt exchange in coming days

** Brazil bank lending edge up in July due to household borrowing

Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies:

Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru
Editing by Tomasz Janowski