Mexico’s Misplaced Missionary Zeal
Mexican stocks lagged peers with a MSCI Index outcome through July, one year after President AMLO was inaugurated, after the Finance Minister resigned in protest over lack of “evidence-based” policies, possibly referring to $20 billion in tax and investment relief for state oil behemoth Pemex relentlessly downgraded by credit rating agencies. His successor and deputy Herrera is another nominally orthodox pick with World Bank background, but the President’s “fourth transformation” anti-economic liberalism stance routinely overrules his team with arbitrary moves. A new $15 billion Mexico City airport was cancelled leaving bondholders in the lurch and government planes and perks have been offloaded, at the same time Pemex already saddled with $100 billion in debt gets an $8 billion refinery. Next year’s budget plan foresees a slight surplus analysts challenge since government contingent liabilities are masked, and the latest GDP figures narrowly skirt recession. Bureaucracy has been slashed in favor of direct cash payments for social spending, with civil servants demoralized the absence of longer-term education and health reform strategy. The peso has dipped toward 20/dollar with investor backlash, but as a general emerging market proxy these effects are offset in industrial world low interest-generated risk-on sentiment. Members of the President’s party, which has no Senate majority, urge a compromise legislative agenda and warn against individualized power. They united with the opposition on beefing up Central American immigration control, after US President Trump threatened special tariffs despite renewed free trade agreement. Mexican lawmakers are expected to back the accord, which faces tougher sailing in Washington heading into an election year. Democratic presidential candidates advocate stricter environment and labor provisions and to reopen negotiations even with ratification this year. Auto supply chain relocation from China has been notable with that bilateral tiff, and executives note that neighbors like Brazil, which recently signed a pact with the EU as Mercosur’s powerhouse, could be a fallback as treaty and refugee frictions resurface.
Brazil stocks rose 15% despite growth forecast cuts toward 1% and continued corruption allegations surrounding President Bolsonaro’s family and close allies, including famous Car Wash prosecutor Moro who may have interfered in investigations. Nepotism is another complaint with his son reportedly tapped as US ambassador despite lack of credentials, and a 30% favorability rating reflects the anemic economy as well as discontent over ultra-conservative military and social positions. Courts have defied anti-minority rhetoric to enshrine ethnic and sexual preferences in law, but conference tourism has suffered with boycott incidents. Banks have 3% bad loan ratios but credit is expanding just above that pace as the policy agenda focuses on social security reform passage to rein public debt, with initial lower house approval. Argentina (+25%) was the surprise stock market winner before primary election results come in mid-August handicapping President Macri’s second term chances. He picked a Peronist running mate in an attempt to neutralize the “Fernandez 2” ticket which could bring Christina back as Vice President. In early voter surveys the two camps are roughly even as the peso has rebounded on lower inflation since May’s near 60%. The IMF’s $55 billion rescue is largely on course, and the European successor to managing Director Lagarde will likely embrace its largest program coming on board right before the October poll.
