Finance

Brazil's central bank tightens consumer protection on credit offers
Brazil's central bank approved three resolutions to strengthen consumer protection against credit offers, broaden banking transparency and prevent excessive household indebtedness. The measures will be rolled out gradually from 2027: from March 31, institutions must offer mechanisms to block advertising and active credit proposals, with prior authorization required for financially vulnerable clients; from July 1 a Consolidated Debts Panel will be created, and from July 1, 2027, credit offers linked to Pix will require prior, specific consent.
FinanceInternationalPrensa LatinaOct 23AI
El Salvador's urban basic food basket hits $269.15, highest price since 2001
El Salvador's urban basic food basket stood at $269.15 in September, the highest price since January 2001, when it cost $128.40, according to the National Statistics and Census Office (Onec). The figure represents a $4.42 increase from August ($264.73) and $18.31 from January ($250.82). The rural basket stood at $191.03, up $1.40 from August and $7.76 so far this year. Onec attributes the increases to a rise in inflation driven by the conflict in the Middle East and the impact of El Niño.
FinanceInternationalPrensa LatinaOct 23AI
Apple hits record $348.25 and closes in on Nvidia as Nasdaq falls 3%
Apple reached an all-time high of $348.25 per share, with a market capitalization around $5 trillion, narrowing the gap with Nvidia as the world's two most valuable companies. The move coincided with a 3% drop in the Nasdaq and a broad selloff in AI-linked chips, on a day when money sought refuge in stocks with solid cash and predictable cash flows.
FinanceInternationalMerca2.esOct 23AI
American Express profit rises 28% after moving clients to the new Platinum card
American Express reported a profit of $3.71 billion in the third quarter, up 28% from a year earlier, or $5.42 per share. Excluding a one-time gain from the sale of its stake in Global Business Travel Group, earnings per share were $4.68, above Wall Street estimates. The company moved most of its members to a new Platinum card with an $895 annual fee and announced a 5% workforce reduction, about 3,500 employees.
FinanceInternationalThe Morning CallOct 23AI
Blue dollar closed at $1,581 in Bahía Blanca as Argentina's country risk topped 700 points
The blue dollar ended the week in Bahía Blanca at $1,553 for buying and $1,581 for selling, unchanged from the previous reference and with a $28 spread. InfoDolar's average for the city stood at $1,505.10 and $1,551.68, while Dólar Nexo was at $1,545.04 and $1,566.82. Meanwhile, Argentina's country risk stood between 710 and 717 basis points, its highest level of the year, with a rise of about 0.9% during the session and around 17% in the month.
FinanceInternationalLa Nueva ProvinciaOct 23AI
BNC opens Startup Venezuela Summit 2026 with a "BNC Day" and Richard Branson's participation
Banco Nacional de Crédito (BNC) marked the start of the Startup Venezuela Summit 2026 with a "BNC Day", an opening session that featured Sir Richard Branson. The agenda continued at BNC's headquarters, where investors, international accelerators and startups such as Cashea, Krece and Rial gathered. The Summit went on for a second and third day at Caracas Campus, with talks and panels on fintech trends, business management and leadership in the digital economy.
FinanceInternationalBanca y NegociosOct 23AI
Argentina's central bank tops USD 1.2 billion in October purchases as reserves hold above USD 50 billion
The Central Bank of Argentina bought USD 42 million on Friday and has accumulated USD 1.253 billion in October, nearly three times what it acquired in September. Gross international reserves stood at USD 50.203 billion. Since January 2026, the institution has accumulated purchases of USD 15.821 billion, more than 50% above the USD 10 billion annual target under the IMF agreement. The government expects to close the year with purchases close to USD 20 billion.
FinanceInternationalInfobaeOct 23AI
Euro closed at 26.88 Cuban pesos, down 0.26%
The euro traded at 26.88 Cuban pesos at the close, a 0.26% decrease from the previous close of 26.95 pesos, according to Dow Jones. Over the past week the European currency rose 0.03%, while its year-on-year variation shows a 5.57% decline. Volatility stands at 4.43%, below the 5.15% reference. The text also includes official projections for Cuba in 2026: 1% growth, 10% inflation and a fiscal deficit of 74,500 million pesos.
FinanceInternationalInfobaeOct 23AI
Primavera Infinita, the company linked to Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, signs an oil contract with PDVSA
Primavera Infinita, a company linked to Venezuelan entrepreneur Manuel Iribarren and Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, signed a Productive Participation Contract with PDVSA on September 2 to develop the Budare-Elotes block, at an event in Miraflores with Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The company aims to produce 100,000 barrels per day in the short term and has also shown interest in the Boca, Guico and Guara blocks. The investment amount and the agreement's economic terms have not been disclosed.
FinanceInternationalBloomberg LíneaOct 23AI
Spain's second-hand market reaches 18.81 billion euros, 1.1% of GDP
Spain's second-hand buying, selling and donation market reached a valuation of 18.81 billion euros, equivalent to 1.1% of the country's GDP, according to a report from the environmental sector. More than 420 million transactions of used goods were recorded over the past year, with clothing, refurbished electronic devices and furniture among the most prominent. Rising living costs and digital platforms have driven this sustainable consumption trend.
FinanceInternationalDiario del SurOct 23AI
Spain's Treasury allows deductions of up to 9,000 euros in income tax for energy efficiency works
Spanish taxpayers will be able to apply state IRPF deductions for energy efficiency works on their homes in the 2027 tax return, corresponding to 2026. There are three modalities: 20% with a maximum base of 5,000 euros, 40% with a base of 7,500 euros and 60% for complete residential buildings, with an annual base of 5,000 euros transferable over four years up to 15,000 euros, allowing a total deduction of up to 9,000 euros. An energy certificate and payment by bank means are required.
FinanceInternationalLa RazónOct 23AI
Argentine court dismisses case against Javier Milei and his sister Karina over $LIBRA
Federal judge Marcelo Martínez de Giorgi dismissed the case against Javier Milei and his sister Karina in the $LIBRA probe, which investigated an alleged fraud tied to the launch of that cryptocurrency, which collapsed in February 2025. The ruling followed a request from prosecutor Eduardo Taiano, who argued the project existed, the token was issued and trades were public and traceable on blockchain, and that buyers' losses alone are not enough to constitute fraud. Nine other defendants were also cleared.
FinanceInternationalClarin.comOct 23AI
Chilean peso falls as dollar rises $10 on the week, closing at highest since April 2025 amid oil rally
The dollar-Chilean peso rate rose $8.9 to $995.3 at Friday's close, reaching its highest level since April 8, 2025, and posting a weekly gain of $10, according to Bloomberg's ask-side compilation. The session was marked by the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East and the unwinding of positions favorable to artificial intelligence. Brent was up 3% at US$116.5 per barrel, its highest since late April, while copper jumped 1.8% to US$6.5 per pound.
FinanceInternationalDiario FinancieroOct 23AI
Silver falls to its lowest since November 2025 on pressure from the Fed, the dollar and tech selling
Silver trades around $53.80 an ounce, its lowest level since November 2025, with a 15% drop over the past month and 27% so far in 2026 from the $74.22 it opened the year at. The pressure comes from a restrictive Fed with rates at 3.75% to 4.00%, a strong dollar and selling in technology and artificial intelligence stocks, which pushed funds to liquidate precious metals. Gold also lost the $4,000 mark.
FinanceInternationalXTB.comOct 23AI
US consumer sentiment falls to its second-lowest level on gas prices and inflation
The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for October was the second lowest since 1978, according to data released Friday. A gallon of unleaded gasoline costs 40% more than a year ago and diesel nearly 75% more. 56% of respondents said rising prices are hurting their personal finances, a share that has risen for four consecutive months. One-year inflation expectations rose from 4.6% to 4.7%.
FinanceInternationalCNN en EspañolOct 23AI
Argentina's country risk consolidates above 700 points while ADRs rise up to 3.3%
Argentina's country risk rises 0.9% to 710 basis points, consolidating above 700, with a 77% surge over three months. Global bonds fall up to 0.6% on Wall Street and accumulate declines of up to 6.6% in a month. In contrast, Argentine stocks and ADRs trade mostly higher: Cresud (+3.3%), Grupo Supervielle (+3.2%) and BBVA (+2.5%), while the MSCI Merval gains 2.8% to 100,736.190 points.
FinanceInternationalAmbitoOct 23AI
Niagara Energy buys an additional 5.12% of Orygen Perú for USD 117.2 million
Niagara Energy, a company of Peru's Grupo Romero, acquired an additional 5.12% stake in power generator Orygen Perú for USD 117.2 million. The transaction took place on the Lima Stock Exchange through a tender offer for 7.06% of the shares held by minority investors, valued at USD 161.5 million, and ran from September 9 to October 6. In March, Grupo Romero had completed the purchase of 92.35% of Orygen, formerly Enel Perú.
FinanceInternationalLexLatinOct 23AI
América Móvil notifies dispute to Chile and opens door to international arbitration over WOM case
América Móvil, owner of ClaroVTR in Chile, notified a dispute against the Chilean State over the agreement the Consejo de Defensa del Estado signed in 2025 with WOM, which paid US$52.75 million for breaches in its 5G rollout and had its antenna schedule adjusted. Carlos Slim's company considers those conditions discriminatory. A 90-day negotiation window opens; if no deal is reached, it could turn to the World Bank's ICSID.
FinanceInternationalBioBioChileOct 23AI
Argentine fintech industry expects to invest USD 2.2 billion and raise revenue 28% in 2027
According to the Industria Fintech Argentina 2026 report by the Cámara Argentina Fintech, companies in the sector project investments of USD 2.2 billion for 2027, within a range of USD 1.8 billion to USD 2.65 billion, and expect revenue to grow 28% in real terms. Technology accounts for the investment plans of 68% of those surveyed. 49% of fintechs already operate outside the country and 71% reached break-even.
FinanceInternationalInfobaeOct 23AI
Blue dollar rises to 1,565 pesos and country risk nears 720 points in Argentina
The official dollar trades at 1,500 pesos for buying and 1,550 for selling at Banco de la Nación Argentina, while the blue dollar operates at 1,545 for buying and 1,565 for selling in Buenos Aires, a 0.97% gap against the official rate. The MEP stands at 1,554.35 and the contado con liquidación at 1,651.28. The JP Morgan country risk index rises 13 units to 717 points, its highest level in 12 months.
FinanceInternationalTNOct 23AI