• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

UPDATE 1-Colombia stocks hit by US trade decision, peso up

Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:57pm EDT

(Adds details on movement, remarks)

Global Markets

BOGOTA, April 10 (Reuters) - Colombia's stock market .IGBC closed at 9,305.76 or down 1.63 percent on Thursday in part due to concerns over a U.S. free trade deal, traders said.

But Colombia's peso COP=RR closed up 0.41 percent at 1,793 pesos against the U.S. dollar, hitting its strongest since July 1999, traders said.

Minutes before the close of trading, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to indefinitely delay action on the free trade accord for Colombia, which the government believes is vital for investor confidence.

Colombia's stock market .IGBC closed at 9,305.76 or down 1.63 percent also due to the U.S. decision, traders said.

"The reaction of the market was obvious given that in the end it is the stocks that are the most affected," said Accion y Valores investor analyst Alexander Cardenas.

Colombia has lobbied hard for a free trade deal, but U.S. Democrats have resisted saying they want the Washington ally President Alvaro Uribe to do more to tackle violence against labor union leaders. (Reporting by Javier Mozzo in Bogota; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)



More from Reuters

Photo

Investors seen jumping the gun on airport security

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Investors' optimism surrounding the shares of airport security systems makers could be premature as interest in the companies' products after the Christmas Day plane scare is not expected to translate into immediate orders.

Leaves gather in front of an empty and boarded-up house in Youngstown, Ohio November 21, 2009.    REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Castles built on sand

Rust-belt American cities like Youngstown, Ohio were battered by the downturn. Now they're ready to move on, but it won’t be easy. The first in a three-part report.  Full Article 

REUTERS/James Saft

Welcome to the "Teenies"

Shrinking financial sector? Paltry investment returns? Welcome to the the next decade. Don't worry, there's some good news, too.  Commentary