Key Economic Indicators in Mexico from May 19 to 23: Inflation, Economic Activity, and GDP

Web Editor

May 19, 2025

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Overview

The third week of May in Mexico will bring forth crucial economic data, including the performance of economic activity (IOAE/IGAE) and the first-quarter GDP growth, along with insights into inflation, retail sales, and the trade balance.

Monday, May 19: Economic Activity

  • Oportune Indicator of Economic Activity (April)

The Oportune Indicator of Economic Activity (IOAE) is a leading indicator that helps estimate the monthly behavior of the Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE). It allows for anticipating economic growth or contraction trends with its rapid and timely preliminary figures, which are valuable for policy-making and macroeconomic analysis.

Tuesday, May 20: Government Securities Auction

  • Results of Government Securities Auction
  • Inflation in the Eurozone (April)

Every Tuesday, the Bank of Mexico discloses the results of government securities auctions. This information is crucial for understanding local debt instrument demand and interest rate levels on instruments like Cetes. It reflects sovereign risk confidence, system liquidity, and the anticipated direction of interest rates.

Wednesday, May 21: Retail Sales

  • Mexico’s Retail Sales (March)
  • Monthly Service Sector Survey (March)
  • Inflation in the United Kingdom (April)

On Wednesday, expect data on local retail sales, which reflect the level of household spending on goods and services in Mexico. These figures help measure domestic consumption evolution, assess consumer confidence, and evaluate labor market dynamics and purchasing power. Retail sales are a significant component of economic growth, as consumption contributes substantially to the GDP.

Thursday, May 22: Inflation and GDP

  • National Consumer Price Index (first half of May)
  • Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE) (March)
  • Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (1Q 2025)
  • New U.S. Jobless Claims

On Thursday, the National Consumer Price Index in Mexico’s first half will be released, measuring the evolution of representative goods and services prices for Mexican households. It’s the primary inflation indicator in the country, used to adjust wages, pensions, and contracts. Its monthly variation allows for analyzing purchasing power and economic stability.

Moreover, the Mexican GDP data will be published, measuring the total value of goods and services produced in Mexico during a specific period. It’s the primary indicator of economic growth, published quarterly with sectoral breakdowns to evaluate overall economic performance and guide public policy decisions.

Additionally, new U.S. jobless claims are expected every Thursday. This data measures the number of individuals seeking economic support for the first time after losing their jobs. It’s an early indicator of labor market health and can anticipate changes in consumption, economic growth, and monetary policy.

Friday, May 23: Trade Balance

  • Merchandise Trade Balance (April)
  • National Construction Companies Survey (March)

The week concludes with Mexico’s trade balance data, measuring the difference between the country’s exports and imports. A surplus indicates competitiveness, while a deficit suggests otherwise. These data points are crucial for economic growth and exchange rate considerations, gaining more significance in a complex trade environment.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the Oportune Indicator of Economic Activity (IOAE)? The IOAE is a leading economic indicator that estimates the monthly behavior of the Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE). It helps anticipate economic growth or contraction trends with its rapid and timely preliminary figures.
  • Why are government securities auction results important? These results reflect local debt instrument demand and interest rate levels on instruments like Cetes. They indicate sovereign risk confidence, system liquidity, and the anticipated direction of interest rates.
  • How do retail sales data impact the economy? Retail sales data reflect household spending on goods and services, helping measure domestic consumption evolution, assess consumer confidence, and evaluate labor market dynamics and purchasing power. Retail sales are a significant component of economic growth, as consumption contributes substantially to the GDP.
  • What does the National Consumer Price Index tell us? The National Consumer Price Index measures the evolution of representative goods and services prices for Mexican households. It’s the primary inflation indicator in Mexico, used to adjust wages, pensions, and contracts.
  • Why is the Mexican GDP important? The Mexican GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced in Mexico during a specific period. It’s the primary indicator of economic growth, published quarterly with sectoral breakdowns to evaluate overall economic performance and guide public policy decisions.
  • What do new U.S. jobless claims indicate? New U.S. jobless claims measure the number of individuals seeking economic support for the first time after losing their jobs. It’s an early indicator of labor market health and can anticipate changes in consumption, economic growth, and monetary policy.
  • Why are trade balance data crucial for Mexico’s economy? Trade balance data measure the difference between Mexico’s exports and imports. A surplus indicates competitiveness, while a deficit suggests otherwise. These data points are crucial for economic growth and exchange rate considerations, gaining more significance in a complex trade environment.