The Mexican peso is currently the second strongest currency in the world. The strong Mexican peso is due to several factors, including a dovish Federal Reserve, rising oil prices, and economic strength in other emerging markets. In addition, Mexico is close to the United States, and its physical proximity encourages billions in trade each year. Its comparatively cheap labor and production costs are also attractive to investors.
Combined with low inflation, these factors contribute to the high value of the Mexican peso against the dollar. But there are concerns that the strong peso could be a negative for some sectors of the economy, such as tourism and manufacturing. Moreover, the high peso also makes it more expensive to buy American goods, which can affect consumers in Mexico and reduce small businesses’ buying power.
After President AMLO won the election, many business leaders feared that his left-leaning views would weaken the Mexican peso. However, his commitment to fiscal stability has reassured investors that Mexico’s budget will be able to grow without creating unsustainable deficits or debt levels.
This fiscal discipline is important for the What factors contribute to the strong Mexican peso? economy because it reduces risks and gives companies time to plan their investments and future cash flow. It also allows the government to make payments on its foreign debt and attract investment from abroad.
Higher oil prices and the easing of political uncertainty in the United States have also helped the Mexican peso. However, a global economic slowdown and the risk of defaulting on sovereign debt are potential risks for Mexico.
Investors are increasingly turning to emerging market currencies to diversify their portfolios, and the Mexican peso is one of the most popular choices. This trend has benefited the country’s exporters and investors, as well as its central bank.
As a result, the peso has gained ground against the dollar in 2021 and 2022. It is expected to continue outperforming other Latin American currencies in the near term.
Inflation is another key driver of the peso’s strength, and it has recently been easing, thanks to lower food prices and a pause in wage growth. However, the recent rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and other developed markets could cause inflation in Mexico to pick up again.
In this case, the peso might weaken if the Fed raises rates more than once in the coming months. This could cause investors to shift to the U.S. dollar and other assets that are more insulated from risks, such as stocks and bond prices. If this happens, the peso could fall against the dollar. It’s also worth noting that the stronger peso may encourage some Mexicans to buy goods in the United States, which can lead to problems in border cities like Juarez. To avoid this, it’s recommended to carefully examine the currency before making a purchase. This includes looking for watermark images and examining the serial numbers. Also, consider using an online currency exchange service or visiting a bank that offers money transfers to Mexico.