The Brazilian currency shed 0.2% against the dollar as iron ore prices, one of the country's top exports, came under pressure. "There are reasons for Brazil's BCB to be more cautious/hawkish when it meets today: the recent weakness in the BRL, a slowdown in disinflation, fiscal expansiveness, and adverse supply-side shocks (floods)," said Thierry Wizman, global FX & rates strategist at Macquarie. Oil producer Mexico's peso lost 0.3% against the dollar as crude oil prices fell after industry data showed a rise in crude and fuel inventories in the U.S. and the greenback strengthened.
MSCI's gauge for Latin American stocks inched up 0.2%, while the currencies index dipped 0.1% against the dollar, ending a three-day winning streak, by 1931 GMT. As the largest economy in the region, Brazil will be the focus on Wednesday, as its central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by at least 25 basis points.
* Weak dollar boosts Latam FX, stocks * Traders price in more US rate cuts * Panama presidential election on Sunday By Sruthi Shankar May 3 (Reuters) - Most Latin American currencies climbed on Friday, with the Brazilian real touching a three-week high versus the dollar after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data raised expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts starting as early as September. Other currencies in the region also firmed, with a broader gauge set for its second weekly gains. The dollar fell against major peers, global stocks and other riskier assets rallied and U.S. Treasury yields fell after data showed U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in April and annual wage gains cooled.