By Juan Montes
MEXICO CITY--Mexican stock prices closed higher Thursday, while
the peso strengthened against the U.S. dollar, after a mixed U.S.
jobs report.
The IPC index of leading issues closed up 0.6% at 44928 points
on volume of 216 million shares worth 6.9 billion pesos ($439
million).
Mexico's telecom giant America Movil gained 0.8% to 16.53 pesos,
while bread maker Grupo Bimbo closed up 0.7% to 41.14 pesos.
Among a handful of losers, Mexican miner Peñoles lost 1% to
250.17 pesos.
U.S. employers added 223,000 jobs in June, just below
expectations, while the unemployment rate fell to 5.3% and wages
were flat. Mexico is closely dependant on the U.S., where it sends
nearly 80% of its exports.
The peso gained ground against the dollar, as some investors
were reaffirmed in the belief that the U.S. Federal Reserve will be
patient in raising interest rates. A Fed rate increase would make
emerging-market currencies less attractive for investors.
The Mexican currency closed in Mexico City at 15.6650 pesos,
according to Infosel, compared with 15.7925 pesos at the close
Wednesday.
Write to Juan Montes at juan.montes@dowjones.com