Mexican Peso declines against US Dollar amid mixed economic reports, strong US data

• Mexican Peso drops 0.5% following Mexico's cooler inflation and stronger economic growth indicators.
• Banxico's January minutes would be scrutinized by traders on speculation of an imminent policy easing.
• Fed's cautious stance on rate cuts contrasts with Mexico's potential monetary easing, favoring USD/MXN upside.

The Mexican Peso trips down and falls against the US Dollar in early trading during the North American session on Thursday. Mexico’s economic docket featured an inflation report, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the release of the January meeting minutes of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). The USD/MXN exchanges hands at 17.12, up 0.5%.

Mexico’s National Statistics Agency (INEGI) revealed that inflation cooled down in the first half of February as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plunged in monthly figures, which exacerbated a slowdown in yearly numbers. The same report depicted that Core inflation increased less than estimates, while other data revealed the economy grew a tick higher than expected, portraying a solid economic outlook.

The surprise on inflation sponsored the USD/MXN leg up as Banxico’s rate cut bets increased. Some officials expressed that Mexico’s Central Bank could begin to ease policy toward the March meeting. Recently, Banxico revealed its monetary policy minutes, which would be greatly scrutinized by traders.

Across the border, the Minutes of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting showed that policymakers remain hesitant to cut rates amidst fears of a second round of inflation. Recently, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that unemployment claims rose below estimates, while business activity, despite moderating, expanded.

Daily digest market movers: Mexican Peso collapses to six-day lows as inflation cools down

• Mexico’s CPI came at -0.10% MoM, below the previous reading and estimates of 0.15%, while annual-based inflation dipped to 4.45% from 4.9%. The Core CPI was 0.24%, below the previous reading and forecasts of 0.28%, while annually-based cooled down from 4.78% to 4.63%, beneath the consensus.
• The economy in Mexico grew above forecasts but is losing its pace as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded in the fourth quarter by 0.1% QoQ, but lower than Q3’s 1.1% expansion. Annually based, GDP exceeded estimates of 2.4% to hit 2.5% from the previous 3.3%.
• Mexico’s Retail Sales dropped -0.9% MoM, below estimates of 0.2%. Yearly figures plummeted -0.2% vs. a 2.5% forecast.
• The Mexican currency could depreciate further if the Mexican government fails to resolve the steel and aluminum dispute with the United States. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai warned the US could reimpose tariffs on the commodities.
• The Conference Board (CB) revealed that its Leading Economic Index (LEI), no longer signals an upcoming recession in the US, reported on Tuesday.
• Recently, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said the latest inflation reports were “less good,” adding the US has “a ways to go” to achieve a soft landing.
• US Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending February 17 decreased by 12K to 201K, below estimates of 218K.
• According to the S&P Global report, business activity in the United States moderated in February. The Services and Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Indices (PMI) both stayed in expansionary territory, indicating growth. Consequently, the Composite Index experienced a slight decline, moving from 52 to 51.4.
• US economic data related to price pressures should greatly influence Federal Reserve officials. Although opening the door to easing policy, Fed officials have expressed numerous times that they will not rush rate cuts.
• Federal Reserve Governor Phil Jefferson commented that he sees progress on inflation, adding that rate cuts are tied to a broad set of data.
• Market players are expecting the first rate cut by the Federal Reserve at the June monetary policy meeting as they have trimmed odds for March and May.

Technical analysis: Mexican Peso struggles to keep the rally, dives to new weekly low

On Wednesday,  I wrote, “The USD/MXN remains in consolidation, at around 17.05, awaiting a fresh catalyst.” Today’s data finally triggered a break of the top of the 17.05-17.10 range as buyers regained the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 17.07, which opened the door to reclaim 17.10. If the pair manages to rally past the psychological 17.20 figure, the 200-day SMA would be up for grabs at 17.27. Once cleared, the next stop would be the confluence of the 100-day SMA  and the January 17 high near 17.36-17.38.

On the other hand, if sellers step in and cap USD/MXN’s upside, they need to push prices below the 17.00 figure. Once cleared, the next support would be the current year-to-date (YTD) low of 16.78, followed by the 2023 low of 16.62.

USD/MXN Price Action – Daily Chart