The Latin American Pulse · Friday, June 19, 2026 · The 60-second read
The bottom line
The Fed scare faded, but the region still lagged. A day after the Federal Reserve’s hawkish surprise, Wall Street roared back — the S&P 500 rose 1.08% to 7,501 and the Nasdaq 1.91% — yet Latin America was the world’s weakest region, off about 0.14% as a firmer dollar kept its grip on the tape.
The US–Iran deal sent oil tumbling. Washington and Tehran signed their agreement and the US lifted its naval blockade, pushing Brent crude below $79 a barrel for the first time since February and easing a worry that had hung over the region for weeks.
Argentina and Colombia set records; Brazil held firm. Buenos Aires’ Merval and Bogotá’s COLCAP both closed at fresh highs, while Brazil’s Bovespa barely moved after a third straight Selic cut to 14.25%.
