Economy

• Wednesday, June 8th 2011 - 02:28 UTC

  Embattled Palocci, the most influential official in Brazil’s cabinet, resigns

  

  Brazil’s embattled Chief of Staff Antonio Palocci described by fellow ministers as the most influential official in President Dilma Rousseff's government resigned on Tuesday to prevent a scandal over his finances from becoming an ongoing distraction for the administration.

• Wednesday, June 8th 2011 - 02:17 UTC

  Uruguayan homes pay highest power rates and fuel prices in South America

  

  Uruguayan homes pay the dearest rates for power in South America and the highest fuel prices in the region, including taxes, according to a paper from the Argentine energy consultants Montamat & Asociados, released last month.

• Wednesday, June 8th 2011 - 00:09 UTC

  Argentine debt expert forecasts significant “hair cuts” for Greek bond holders

  

  Holders of Greek bonds will suffer a larger ‘hair cut’ than that experienced by Argentine creditors forecasts Argentina’s former Finance Secretary Guillermo Nielsen who played a crucial role in negotiations with creditors following the 2002 default.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 23:06 UTC

  Brazil inflation slows down in May; Central bank decides Wednesday on rates

  

  Brazilian inflation slowed to its lowest level in eight months in May as fuel costs dropped. The sharp drop in the monthly inflation reading provided relief to policymakers who have battled surging prices this year with three interest rate hikes, public spending cuts and steps such as credit curbs to take steam out of the economy.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 22:59 UTC

  Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Peru shoppers, most promising for retail expansion

  

  Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Peru figure among the short list of top ranked developing countries for global retail expansion. In the 10th annual Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), elaborated by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney, Brazil jumped to first place from number 5 in last year’s study.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 22:31 UTC

  Peru’s economic fundamentals sound and will be respected, says Humala

  

  The Peruvian currency and Lima’s stock market partially recovered on Tuesday from the dramatic Monday collapse when it was confirmed nationalist Ollanta Humala had been elected in a very tight run-off to become the country’s next president.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 22:00 UTC

  Airlines suspend flights from Uruguay, fearing the volcanic ash cloud

  

  Flights from Uruguay’s Carrasco international airport were suspended on Tuesday until further notice because of the proximity of Chile’s Puyehue volcano ash cloud that on Monday forced similar decisions for Buenos Aires City main international and domestic air terminals.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 21:51 UTC

  Uruguay complains about low ratings from the risk agencies

  

  Economy minister Fernando Lorenzo accused rating agencies of failing to recognize the increasing strength of Uruguay’s sustained economic growth and therefore denying its investment grade status.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 14:33 UTC

  Ash cloud reaches Buenos Aires city at 5.000 metres height; all flights cancelled

  

  The Chilean volcano Puyehue ash cloud has reached the Argentine capital after moving across the Greater Buenos Aires, but the due effects of the cloud are seen to be minimal. Meanwhile local airlines confirmed cancelled all flights until further notice at the international airport of Ezeiza and at the domestic-flights metropolitan Aeroparque.

• Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 06:07 UTC

  Argentina hosts first meeting of Unasur Economy and Finance Council

  

  Argentina will be hosting on Thursday the first meeting of the South American Economy and Finance Council that will bring together Economy ministers and Central bank governors from members of Unasur, Union of South American Nations.