International Business : Global Markets and Economic Update : FOREIGN STOCK MARKETS

Stock index trends in native currencies and in U.S. dollars adjusted for currency fluctuations. The dollar-adjusted returns are what U.S. investors would realize.

MEXICAN STOCKS

Mexican stocks closed almost flat Wednesday in a third straight day of light activity. “We’re all falling asleep,” said one floor trader in Mexico City.

Traders said investors were awaiting news of earnings, due out over the course of the month, and of whether the government will continue to allow the new peso to float or peg it to the dollar. Mexican officials have said repeatedly that the free float will remain, but rumors continue to affect the stock market.

Telefonos de Mexico shareholders agreed to set aside $549.3 million in reserves to repurchase shares.

The Bolsa Index (Wednesday closes): 1,960.81

Sources: Dow Jones, Bloomberg Business News

SPOTLIGHT: INDIA

Private business in the United States, Japan and Europe are beginning to see India as a possible market, thanks to policies of economic liberalization and reform that slashed inflation and led to modest, sustained growth. U.S. businesses recently signed $7 billion in new deals in India.

Sources: Bank of America, World Information Services