Mexico Stocks End Lower as IPC Slips on Sector Losses

Mexican stocks closed lower on Friday as broad-based declines across key sectors weighed on overall market performance. The benchmark S&P/BMV IPC index ended the session down 0.36%, reflecting investor caution amid losses in Industrials, Consumer Goods & Services, and Consumer Staples shares. The Mexico Stock Exchange saw more decliners than gainers, signaling a mixed but slightly negative market sentiment at the end of the trading week.

Despite the overall decline, several stocks managed to post solid gains. Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, better known as Volaris, was the top performer on the S&P/BMV IPC, rising 2.63% to close at 16.40 pesos. Grupo Financiero Banorte also delivered a strong performance, climbing 2.46% to finish at 171.04 pesos, supported by continued interest in financial stocks. Megacable Holdings added to the positive momentum, gaining 1.97% to end the day at 52.74 pesos.

On the downside, Industrias Peñoles led the losses, falling 4.09% to close at 908.00 pesos as mining-related shares came under pressure. Sigma Foods declined 2.54% to 15.34 pesos, while Gentera slipped 1.71% to finish at 45.29 pesos. Overall, 112 stocks declined on the Mexico Stock Exchange, compared with 100 advancing issues, while 14 shares ended unchanged.

In commodities markets, gold futures for February delivery edged lower by 0.07% to $4,338.20 per troy ounce, while crude oil prices also weakened. WTI crude for February delivery fell 0.16% to $57.33 per barrel, and Brent crude for March slipped 0.10% to $60.79 per barrel, reflecting subdued energy market sentiment.

In the foreign exchange market, the Mexican peso strengthened against major currencies. The U.S. dollar fell 0.42% against the peso to trade at 17.91, while the euro declined 0.62% to 20.99. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index futures rose slightly by 0.12% to 98.16, highlighting modest strength in the greenback globally.

Overall, Mexican equities ended the session lower, but selective gains and currency strength helped limit broader losses, keeping investor focus on sector-specific opportunities and global market trends.