Overview

• Gold hovered near record territory after briefly topping US$4,000 per ounce, while copper held 16‑month highs as supply troubles at Quebrada Blanca, El Teniente and Grasberg tightened the market and banks raised price forecasts.
• The Federal Reserve’s latest minutes pointed to readiness to cut rates if inflation allows, and officials were set to speak Friday as the partial U.S. government shutdown entered day 10, clouding the release of key data like next week’s CPI.
• Peru’s sol strengthened to S/3.429 in the interbank market, a five‑year high versus the dollar, with industry data showing cheaper vehicle prices and lower fuel and airfare costs filtering through to consumers.
• Mexico’s peso traded around 18.38 per dollar with mixed intraday moves as local inflation ticked up, Banxico minutes signaled continued rate cuts, and traders weighed the global data vacuum from the U.S. shutdown.
• U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed an intervention supporting Argentina’s market, sending financial dollar rates sharply lower (MEP and CCL down about 5.7%–5.8%) while the blue dollar held near $1,475 and crypto‑linked quotes eased.