The Mexican Peso (MXN) has been strengthening against its major trading partners, especially the US Dollar (USD), following comments from Banxico Deputy Governor Jonathan Heath suggesting interest rates should remain elevated. This has given the Peso a boost, with one USD currently buying 18.12 MXN, EUR/MXN trading at 19.57, and GBP/MXN at 23.11. The recent run of poor US economic data has also contributed to the Peso’s strength.
Heath’s comments on the need for more benign inflation data before considering rate cuts align with Jerome Powell’s stance for the Federal Reserve. This differs from the views of Banxico Governor Victoria Rodríguez Ceja, who sees progress in disinflation as a reason for potential rate adjustments. The US Dollar weakened after disappointing data revealed a slowdown in the ISM Services PMI sector and underwhelming job numbers. The Minutes of the Fed’s June meeting also maintained a neutral stance.
The Mexican Peso is trading in a range against the Euro amidst diminishing European political risk. The spread between French and German yields narrowed, reflecting reduced concerns over extremist party victories in the French elections. The Pound Sterling is holding steady against the Mexican Peso as the UK general election unfolds, with the Labour Party expected to win by a significant margin. Greater political stability could benefit the UK economy and the Pound.
In terms of technical analysis, USD/MXN is sliding lower towards key support levels after peaking at a swing high. A break below 18.10 could signal a further downtrend towards the June low, while a rally above 18.59 would indicate a continuation of the uptrend. The direction of the long-term trend remains uncertain. Economic indicators such as Continuing Jobless Claims in the US, which recently rose to 1.858 million, can impact consumer spending and economic growth, influencing the strength of the US Dollar.
Overall, the Mexican Peso’s strength against the US Dollar and other major currencies is driven by a combination of factors including comments from Banxico officials, weak US economic data, and diminishing European political risks. The currency’s resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties highlights its potential as a safe-haven asset. Traders and investors will continue to monitor key indicators and geopolitical events to assess the Peso’s future performance in the foreign exchange market.