Mexico's main stock index closed lower on Thursday, with declines concentrated in the Industrials, Consumer Goods & Services and Consumer Staples groups. The S&P/BMV IPC finished the day down 0.26%.
Among individual winners, Orbia Advance Corporation SAB de CV (BMV:ORBIA) led gains on the index, rising 1.60% - a 0.36 point increase - to end the session at 22.92. Gruma SAB de CV (BMV:GRUMAB) climbed 1.38%, adding 3.85 points to close at 283.05, and Sigma Foods SAB de CV (BMV:SIGMAFA) advanced 1.37%, up 0.22 points to reach 16.32 by the close.
On the downside, Genomma Lab Internacional SAB De CV (BMV:LABB) was the weakest performer among the listed stocks, falling 2.37% or 0.37 points to finish at 15.23. Retail giant Wal Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (BMV:WALMEX) declined 2.17%, a 1.11 point drop to 49.96, and Grupo Televisa SAB Unit (BMV:TLEVISACPO) slipped 2.10%, down 0.20 points to 9.34.
Although the headline index moved lower, breadth across the Mexico Stock Exchange was relatively balanced: 122 issues rose versus 112 that fell, while 14 stocks finished unchanged.
Wal Mart de Mexico shares reached five-year lows in the session, falling 2.17% or 1.11 to close at 49.96.
Commodity markets showed mixed action during the session. Gold futures for August delivery increased 1.30% - a gain of 53.25 - to $4,135.65 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for August delivery slipped 0.17% or $0.12, settling at $68.46 a barrel, while the September Brent contract inched up 0.01% or $0.01 to trade at $71.59 a barrel.
Currency moves included a 0.15% rise in USD/MXN to 17.47, and EUR/MXN gained 0.33% to 20.01. The US Dollar Index Futures was weaker on the day, down 0.50% at 100.65.
Market participants will note the divergence between select defensive and consumer-oriented names that fell and a handful of industrial and food-related companies that outperformed, even as the overall index closed lower.