Emerging Markets-Latin American currencies rise as commodities firm; Mexico holds rates

The U.S. dollar index =USD gained 2.9% on Thursday, ahead of jobs data due on Friday, as markets shifted focus to economic data in the absence of any forward guidance from the Federal Reserve.

MSCI's index tracking Latin American equities .MILA00000PUS declined 0.4% and was headed for a fifth straight session of losses, while the currency equivalent .MILA00000CUS edged 0.2% higher.

Assets in the region's second-largest economy, Mexico, were little changed after the central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 6.50%.

The peso MXN= and equities .MXX traded range-bound.

Analysts at ING expect the Mexican peso to remain stable in the absence of any further Fed rate hikes, though they warned that any trouble in Mexican trade negotiations with the U.S. could pressure the currency.