
Global economic activity should strengthen in the second half of the year and accelerate in 2015, although momentum could be weaker than expected, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said, hinting at a slight cut in the Fund's growth forecasts.

Peru's sustained macroeconomic performance has been recognized through the recently announced upgrade to A3 of its sovereign debt by Moody’s Investors Service. According to the credit rating agency, Peru' government debt was lifted two notches to A3 from Baa2, with a stable outlook for the economy.

Uruguay's inflation index experienced a slight deceleration during the twelve months to June, from 9.18% in May to 9.08%, basically because of cheaper fresh food, frozen public utility rates including fuel, while a stabilized exchange rate for the US dollar with a strong Peso, helped with imported goods.

Economy minister Axel Kicillof has confirmed that Argentina would enter talks with mediator 'Special Master' Daniel Pollack over the legal battle currently raging between the nation and holdout hedge funds as 'vulture funds', while clarifying that those funds would not be present.

Argentina's vehicle production reached 50,904 units in June according to the Automobile Factory Association (ADEFA), 19.8% less than the 63,461 units manufactured in the same month of 2013. Taking into account the first 6 months of 2014, production fell 21.8% compared to the same period of 2013.

European Central Bank president Mario Draghi reiterated on Thursday that he'll keep interest rates low as officials try to revive the region's economy with a new round of emergency measures.

US economy added 288,000 jobs in June, latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics have shown. The unemployment rate dropped to 6.1%, its lowest level since September 2008.

The Bank of New York Mellon, fearful of being sued by Argentine bondholders and unwilling to defy a court order blocking their coupon payments, is seeking guidance from U.S. Judge Thomas Griesa on what to do with the money.

A significant decline in catches of squid (Illex argentinus) in Argentine waters at the end of the season, has forced the return to port of several Argentine flagged jiggers, according to a report this week from the country's Coast Guard station in Mar del Plata.

Brazilian industrial output fell for the third straight month in May despite efforts from government to prop manufacturing through stimulus measures. Industrial production in Brazil fell 0.6% in May from April, and 3.2% from the same month a year ago, and 1.6% in the five months of 2014, government statistics agency IBGE said on Wednesday.