Mexico: Banxico Holds Rate at 7%

The Bank of Mexico left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 7.00% in its February 5, 2026 meeting, pausing the easing cycle and keeping the rate at its lowest level since May 2022. This pause ends the recent sequence of rate reductions that began in March last year. Mexico’s economic activity expanded in Q4 2025 after the contraction recorded in Q3, although the Board warned that downside risks from trade tensions and global uncertainty persist. The decision to hold was taken unanimously by the Board, which judged a pause appropriate given the current inflation outlook and the need to assess the impact of policy changes. Headline inflation eased slightly to 3.77% in mid-January from 3.80% in November, while core inflation rose to 4.47% (from 4.43%), remaining stubbornly above 4%. Despite these near-term pressures, Banxico now projects inflation will converge to its 3% target in the second quarter of 2027.