Finance

DANE's ISE fell 0.04% year-on-year in August 2026, its first negative reading since April 2025
The Economic Monitoring Indicator (ISE) published by DANE posted a year-on-year variation of -0.04% in August 2026 compared with the same month of 2025, a negative result not seen since April 2025. Agriculture and mining contracted 3.2%, while manufacturing and construction fell 3.0% combined. Trade, transport and accommodation dropped 0.95% and communications 1.87%. Services grew 2.2%, driven by public administration, defense, education and health. Banco de Bogotá and Oxford Economics linked part of the contraction to the August 10 earthquake.
FinanceColombiaDiario del SurOct 21AI
Dollar rises to 3,185.10 pesos in Colombia, near 3,200
The dollar opened higher in Colombia at 3,185.10 pesos, after closing the previous session at 3,174, driven by fiscal uncertainty over the 2027 General Budget process in Congress and by the international rebound in energy prices. Brent was up 0.6% at US$109.48 per barrel and WTI rose by the same proportion to US$98.46. The global dollar index (DXY) remains above support at 101.60 points.
FinanceColombiaPulzoOct 21AI
What the TRM is and how the dollar affects Colombia's economy
The nominal exchange rate indicates how many Colombian pesos are needed to buy one dollar, the reference currency for Colombia's trade, investment and international financing operations. Its movements reflect depreciation or appreciation of the peso: when the peso weakens, more pesos are needed per dollar, imports become more expensive and the cost of living may rise; when it strengthens, buying foreign goods becomes easier, though export products lose competitiveness. The TRM, the average of dollar purchase and sale operations by supervised entities, stands at 3,163.76 pesos per dollar.
FinanceColombiaPulzoOct 21AI
Dollar opened at COP 3,182.55 in Colombia, COP 18.79 above the October 21 TRM
The dollar opened this Wednesday, October 21, at COP 3,182.55, an increase of COP 18.79 compared with the day's TRM of COP 3,163.76. In the opening the currency hit a low of COP 3,182 and a high of COP 3,196, with 19 trades worth US$10 million. Mauricio Acevedo, FX and derivatives strategist at Corficolombiana, said the market is resolving the crossing of a medium-term bullish trend and a bearish one, and that for now the bullish one is somewhat stronger.
FinanceColombiaEl Universal (Cartagena)Oct 21AI
Dollar opens higher on October 21 with a TRM of COP 3,163.76 in Colombia
The U.S. dollar starts the Wednesday, October 21, 2026 session higher in Colombia, with a Representative Market Rate of COP 3,163.76 pesos, according to the Banco de la República. Exchange houses quote buying between COP 3,070 in Medellín and COP 3,185 in Cúcuta, and selling between COP 3,182 and COP 3,380. The euro falls 0.73% to COP 3,561.08, the Canadian dollar rises 0.76% to COP 2,258.58, Brent opens at 108.29 dollars and bitcoin trades at 83,553.5 dollars.
FinanceColombiaCaracol RadioOct 21AI
Dollar opens at 3,185 pesos in Colombia, 22 pesos above the TRM
The dollar opened the October 21 session at 3,185 pesos in Colombia, an increase of 22 pesos compared with the 3,163-peso TRM set by the SuperFinanciera. In the first minutes the currency showed volatile behavior, with a maximum price of 3,185 pesos, a minimum of 3,182 and an average of 3,183. Traded volume so far stands at 750 million. Globally, the dollar index was down 0.18%, to 98.905 units.
FinanceColombiaRevista SemanaOct 21AI
Dollar opens higher in Colombia, pressured by US inflation and oil
The dollar started the session higher in Colombia. Daniel Londoño Tapia, Country Manager at Global66, notes that September US CPI rose to 3.7% year-on-year and core inflation to 2.6%, both above expectations, raising the probability of a Fed rate hike at its October 27-28 meeting. The currency reached COP 3,214 and closed at COP 3,183.80. Brent held around USD 105 and WTI rose 5.6% during the week.
FinanceColombiaEl EspectadorOct 21AI
Cartagena closed September with 5.94% annual inflation, below the national 6.29%
According to DANE data analyzed by Cartagena Cómo Vamos, annual inflation in Cartagena stood at 5.94% in September 2026, below the national 6.29% and above the 5.13% of September 2025. Education (10.23%) and restaurants and hotels (8.58%) posted the largest annual increases, while transport and food moderated their variations. For the month, the city's CPI rose 0.29%, versus 0.37% nationwide.
FinanceColombiaEl TiempoOct 21AI
Dollar edges up in Colombia: TRM stands at COP 3,163.76 this Wednesday
The official Representative Market Rate (TRM) for Wednesday, October 21, stood at COP 3,163.76, an increase of COP 7.44 (0.24%) from Tuesday's COP 3,156.32, after several days of downward pressure. Against September 21 the TRM fell 0.91% (COP 29.16) and over twelve months it dropped 18.40% (COP 713.50), from COP 3,877.26 a year earlier. Exchange houses buy at an average of COP 3,112.83 and sell at COP 3,221.52 nationwide.
FinanceColombiaNoticias RCNOct 21AI
Colombia's TRM rises to 3,163.76 pesos per dollar on Wednesday, October 21
Colombia's representative market rate (TRM) stands at 3,163.76 pesos per dollar on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, up 7.44 pesos from 3,156.32 on Tuesday, October 20, roughly 0.24%. Exchange houses set their own quotes, different from the TRM, depending on the city, cash availability and supply and demand. In the October 20 report, Cúcuta posted the highest buy price at 3,185 pesos and Medellín the lowest sell price at 3,182.
FinanceColombiaRevista SemanaOct 21AI
Dollar rises in Colombia and nears 3,190 pesos after approval of the 2027 budget
The dollar in Colombia trended upward on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and approached 3,190 pesos, in a session marked by the approval of the 2027 General National Budget and market attention on the country's fiscal situation. The TRM stood at 3,156.32 pesos. Congress approved the budget for 634.9 trillion pesos, a decision that keeps the debate over the fiscal deficit and the Government's financing sources alive.
FinanceColombiaDiario del SurOct 21AI
Davivienda projects 6.9% inflation at end of 2026 and 2.5% growth
Davivienda projects that inflation in Colombia will close 2026 near 6.9% and fall to 5.1% in 2027, according to Germán Cristancho, the bank's director of Economic and Financial Market Research, presented at the launch of the Visión 2027 book. The analyst said the El Niño phenomenon could pressure energy tariffs and agricultural production. For economic activity, the bank estimates growth of 2.5% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027.
FinanceColombiaEmisora AtlánticoOct 20AI
68% of Colombian households cite inflation as their main concern, according to TransUnion
TransUnion's third-quarter Consumer Pulse survey shows that 68% of Colombian consumers identify inflation as their main concern, followed by employment (59%) and interest rates (41%). Despite this, 69% expect their income to rise over the next 12 months, and the share saying they could not pay at least one financial obligation falls to 28%, from 31% a year earlier. Among those who backed out of a loan, 37% cited the high cost of money.
FinanceColombiaEl País (Cali)Oct 20AI
Presto to keep operating for 20 days while a Colombian businessman studies buying the chain
Colombia's Superintendencia de Sociedades suspended some effects of the liquidation of fast-food chain Presto so its restaurants can keep operating for 20 days, according to Caracol Radio. The measure allows employees to keep their jobs and the outlets to keep selling. Liquidator Mónica Macías said wages and benefits accrued from October 14, 2026 are paid with the operation's revenue, and that a Colombian businessman is interested in acquiring the chain.
FinanceColombiaCaracol RadioOct 20AI
Caldas bets on the longevity economy with its first Intergenerational Networking Round
On Wednesday, October 28, the first Intergenerational Networking Round of Caldas will take place in Anserma under the motto "Experience does business with the future." The event is organized by the Government of Caldas, through its Secretariat of Integration and Social Development, in partnership with Incubar and Silver Partners. The goal is to position the longevity economy and recognize older people as economically active subjects. It will include showcasing senior-led ventures and B2B business matchmaking.
FinanceColombiaLa PatriaOct 20AI
Davivienda projects 6.9% inflation at end of 2026 and 2.5% growth
Davivienda projects that inflation in Colombia will close 2026 near 6.9% and at 5.1% in 2027, according to Germán Cristancho, the bank's director of Economic and Financial Market Research. Cristancho warned that inflation will likely keep rising in the coming months due to the 'El Niño' phenomenon, which would extend until March and hit energy tariffs and agricultural output. The bank also estimates economic growth of 2.5% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027, with a slowdown driven by the effect of high interest rates on household spending.
FinanceColombiaZona CeroOct 20AI
Study estimates InDrive activity contributes COP 7.45 trillion to Colombia's economy
An Ipsos economic and social impact study estimates that activity linked to the InDrive platform contributed COP 7.45 trillion to Colombia's economy during 2025, equivalent to 0.4% of GDP, and links it to 51,900 indirect jobs. The report says 75% of surveyed drivers state this activity is their main or only source of income, and that 66.5% of drivers and 58.7% of users agree with regulating platforms in the country.
FinanceColombiaELHERALDO.COOct 20AI
Citi warns over inflation in Colombia and sees slower growth in 2027
Citi projects Colombia's economy will grow 1.8% in 2027, down from 2.3% in 2026, due to the fiscal adjustment needed to reduce the deficit. Its chief economist for Latin America, Ernesto Revilla, said inflation will close 2026 at 6.5% and fall to 4.7% in 2027, still above the Banco de la República's 3% target. The policy rate would end 2026 at 12.5% and 2027 at 11%.
FinanceColombiaRevista SemanaOct 20AI
De la Espriella proposes labor rule changes for app delivery riders, journalists and harassment victims
Candidate De la Espriella proposes modifying labor rules affecting app delivery riders, journalists and harassment victims. According to the published information, the plan includes changes to delivery riders' pension contributions, adjustments to journalists' working conditions and new rules for handling harassment complaints.
FinanceColombiaValora AnalitikOct 19AI
JPMorgan prepares its peso payments network in Colombia and anticipates a record year for mergers
JPMorgan is preparing its peso payments network in Colombia, according to Portafolio. The bank marks 20 years of local operation and anticipates a record year for mergers. The institution sees Colombia in a regional pro-market shift, amid the fiscal challenge.
FinanceColombiaPortafolioOct 18AI