۴ý

Skip to main content

Mexico raises key interest rate to 8.5 per cent, highest in 16 years

Share
MEXICO CITY -

Mexico's central bank has raised its interbank interest rate by 0.75 per cent to 8.5 per cent Thursday -- the highest level in the 16 years since comparable bank policies went into effect.

The Bank of Mexico cited continuing inflationary pressures, and predicted inflation would peak at 8.5 per cent in the third quarter.

"Inflationary pressures derived from the pandemic and the war (in Ukraine) continue to affect general and underlying inflation," the central bank said in a statement.

Authorities did not rule out future rate increases, and Intercam bank said in an analysis report that interest rates could hit 10 per cent or more, depending on inflation.

"The most prudent thing is to expect interest rates in Mexico to end 2022 at levels of around 9.5 per cent, with increasing probabilities of prime interest rates of 10 per cent or more if inflation does not decline," the Intercam report said.

Mexico's annualized inflation rate hit 8.15 per cent in July, the highest in more than two decades.

The Mexican peso gained ground against the dollar before the widely expected move to increase rates. The peso closed below 20 to $1, at 19.96. Banco Base noted the peso has racked up a 2.19 per cent gain against the dollar over the last four sessions.

The Bank of Mexico predicted that inflation would decline to 7.1 per cent by the first quarter of 2023 and 3.1 per cent by the first quarter of 2024. The central bank's inflation target is 3 per cent.

Francisco Cervantes Diaz, the head of Mexico's Business Coordinating Council, wrote of the rate hike, "this was expected, to fight volatility and high prices in some sectors. The good news is that inflation is expected to close 2023 at 3.2 per cent."

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Israel launches strikes on military targets in Iran, escalating Mideast wars

Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

Canada Post driver Rick Harper recounts how he and others helped save a woman from a Tesla that caught fire after crashing into a guardrail on Lake Shore Boulevard.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night – with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.