Brazil's real surges on iron ore prospects, catchup trade

Brazil's real raced ahead in catch-up trade on Thursday, with a spike in Chinese steel prices also providing support, while Chile's peso came off three-month highs, tracking an initial dip in copper prices.

The real jumped 1.5% after a holiday on Wednesday. Most other Latin American currencies had firmed then, owing to a weaker dollar in the light of falling US treasury yields.

The currency was supported by Chinese steel prices jumping to record highs, which pointed to robust demand for iron ore- a major component of steel making, and a top export from Brazil to China.

Still, a damaging new wave of COVID-19 infections has held back gains in emerging market currencies, with most Latam units following suit. Regional currencies traded lower for the day.

Brazil, in particular, has been dealing with record-high infections and deaths, which have spurred lockdowns across several states to contain the virus.

Industrial confidence fell in April for a fourth month, pointing to continued pressure on the economy from the pandemic.

"Rising inflation, cost/input push pressures, supply chain disruptions, renewed lockdowns given the deterioration of the COVID picture and the unsettled policy/political backdrop are sapping both consumer and business confidence," Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a note.

Chile's peso fell about 0.8%, coming off three month peaks as the prices of copper- the country's top export- stalled just below 10-year highs.

Peru's sol plummeted 1.1% to near record-low levels, extending losses into a fifth straight session after a survey put socialist Pedro Castillo in pole position to win the presidency in a second round ballot set for June.

Mexico's peso was flat, as inflation rose faster-than-expected in the first half of April to its highest level in more than three years and far surpassing the central bank's target range.

Still, the peso is likely to be supported by steady interest rates, which the central bank is expected to keep at 4% for longer than expected.

Latam stocks rose in early trade, supported by Brazil's Bovespa index adding 0.5%.