Mexico-based U.S. companies fear increasing violence in northern Mexico


Heightened drug violence has many U.S. companies based in Mexico concerned about safety, a recent poll shows.
According to a poll conducted among the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, 58 percent of its members felt less safe than they did a year ago.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon's military crusade against the drug cartels and the U.S.'s diplomatic efforts to eradicate the violence haven't quelled the violence and killings.
Mexico is a top U.S. trading partner.

Source: The Washington Post

Two competing plane manufacturers share optimistic view on Latin American markets

Source: Reuters

Fiat gauges success in U.S. and South American markets for the next five years

Source: Freep.com

Corn and soy sales drop after anticipation that lower South American prices would drive down demand for the U.S. crops

A stronger dollar discouraged buyers from purchasing soybeans, corn and wheat this past week.
When compared to six major currencies, the U.S. dollar rose 1.2 percent, resulting in purchasers' looking to other countries, such as Brazil and Argentina, for their crops.
These two South Americans countries' combined output will result in a 44 percent increase for stocks.
“The strong dollar and more supplies from South America have made U.S. soybeans less attractive to overseas buyers, especially China, putting downward pressure on the Chicago futures,” said Toshimitsu Kawanabe, an analyst at Tokyo-based commodity broker Central Shoji Co.
Corn and wheat bushel prices have steadily dropped for May delivery.

Source: BusinessWeek


McDonald’s sales increase in Latin America; region accounts for 16 percent of the corporation’s total revenue

Source: BusinessWeek

Shipping line established between Ecuador and Russia to carry goods between Asia and South America

Source: BusinessWeek

U.S. corn, soy export sales drop in anticipation of South American competition


U.S. corn and soybean demand may fall in favor of cheaper South American crops.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the combined output of soybeans from Brazil and Argentina will increase 35 percent this year. Additionally, their corn output level may rise 9.1 percent.
These bigger crops will give the U.S. industries more competition from South American counterparts.
“Export demand for corn and soybeans is going to slowly erode as buyers turn to cheaper supplies from South America,” said Greg Wagner, AgResource Co.’s senior market analyst in Chicago. “There is a more-than-adequate world supply.”
Corn and soybean futures in the U.S. have been in slow decline for multiple sessions.

Source: Business Week


Author pens how-to guide for business relations in Latin America

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times


U.S. foods embark on intense branding projects to increase sales in Latin America

Source: Chicago Tribune

Mexico home to world’s richest man, outranks Microsoft’s Bill Gates

Mexico’s Carlos Slim, a man with holdings in U.S. retailer Saks and New York Times Co., was named the richest man in the world by Forbes magazine Wednesday.
Outranking the U.S.’s Bill Gates as the wealthiest man in the world, Slim has a fortune of $53.5 billion, a sum he earned with a work ethic he’s had since he was a boy selling snacks to his family.
Slim’s key to success is his reputed ability to take failing businesses and turn them into profitable enterprises.
He took this same approach buying up New York Times Co. stock in 2008. He is now in the position to hold a 16 percent stake in the company.

Source: Reuter's


International airline group says Latin American airlines picking up North American slack

Source: CNN Money

New Nevada wind turbine facility to supply North and South American energy projects

Source: BrighterEnergy.org

AIG's tentative sales of non-U.S. insurance company may help efforts to repay bailout

American International Group Inc. may soon sell an insurance division in efforts to repay the $182.3 billion government bailout.
AIG's American Life Insurance Co. may be sole for $15 billion, based on a vote by the board of directors, according to two sources. The sources asked for anonymity since the vote was private.
Alico operates in 50 countries, including some in Latin America.
"Alico is a global leader in life insurance, with operations in 54 countries serving 19 million customers," said Chief Executive Officer Robert Benmosche said in a Feb. 26 letter to shareholders.
In addition to the agreement to sell Alico, AIG has secured almost $47 billion in sales.

Source: BusinessWeek


International law firm with offices in U.S. forms alliance with Brazil

Source: BusinessWeek


Mac systems lag in South American sales, pricing places company out of markets

Source: Ars Technica

Kraft's sales of Tang increase in key growth markets abroad

Tang powdered juice drink sales rose 30 percent last year in regions abroad, including Latin America.
New packaging and marketing strategies helped increase sales, according to Sanjay Khosla, who run developing markets and global categories for Kraft foods. Sales for the tangerine-flavored drink increased 4 percent in 2008.
Efforts to accelerate growth in Latin American and Asian Pacific regions for 10 Kraft brands comes in a time of slumped U.S. sales.
"In the context of a slow U.S. business, developing markets are what give you that extra sales leverage,” said Chris Growe, analyst at Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
Kraft Foods is based in Northfield, Illinois.

Source: BusinessWeek


Growth in Latin American markets gets best start in 10 years

Source: BusinessWeek


Microsoft director confident in Latin American market share presence

Source: Business News Americas

Wal-Mart pledges funds to earthquake relief in Chile

The retailer pledged $1 million to help Chile in the aftermath of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the South American country early Saturday morning.
Wal-Mart acquired a majority stake in Chile’s leading food retailer, Distribución y Servicio D&S S.A., in January 2009, according to walmartstores.com.

Source: Business Week