On February 18, 2026, the Mexican peso depreciated against the US dollar, closing at 17.21 pesos per dollar due to a strengthening of the dollar and mixed signals from the Federal Reserve's minutes.
On February 18, 2026, the Mexican peso weakened by 0.51 percent, ending the day at 17.21 pesos per dollar. This depreciation was attributed to a 0.50 percent strengthening of the US dollar, marking its largest gain since January 30. This uptick in value followed the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the new Chair of the Federal Reserve, raising concerns over potential shifts in monetary policy.
The Mexican Stock Exchange also faced setbacks during this session as the release of the Federal Reserve's minutes revealed differing opinions among policymakers regarding the future direction of interest rates. Despite a near-unanimous agreement to keep rates unchanged at their latest meeting, the minutes indicated divisions about possible future increases, with some members suggesting that rate hikes could be necessary in the medium term.
These developments signal a cautious outlook for the Mexican economy as fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest rate policies from the US may influence economic stability and investment decisions in the region. Investors will likely be monitoring further economic indicators and comments from US Federal Reserve officials to gauge future movements.
