Mexico's equity benchmark ended the trading session lower on Friday, with weakness concentrated in industrials and consumer-oriented sectors. Losses in the Industrials, Consumer Goods & Services and Consumer Staples segments helped pull the S&P/BMV IPC down by 0.66%, settling at a new one-month low.
Among index constituents, Banco Del Bajio SA Institution De Banca Multiple (BMV:BBAJIOO) posted the day's strongest gain, rising 3.19% or 1.56 points to finish at 50.40. Wal Mart de Mexico SAB de CV (BMV:WALMEX) also advanced, adding 1.96% or 1.10 points to close at 57.11, while Grupo Televisa SAB Unit (BMV:TLEVISACPO) firmed 1.08% or 0.11 points to end at 10.32.
On the downside, Industrias Penoles Sab De CV (BMV:PEOLES) was the session's weakest performer, dropping 5.26% or 50.29 points to finish at 906.02. Grupo Mexico, S.A.B. De C.V. (BMV:GMEXICOB) declined 2.63% or 5.05 points to close at 187.15, and Orbia Advance Corporation SAB de CV (BMV:ORBIA) fell 2.62% or 0.50 points to 18.58 at the close.
Market breadth was reported with 116 declining issues versus 116 advancing, while 14 stocks finished unchanged on the Mexico Stock Exchange.
Commodities and currency markets reflected notable moves during the session. Gold futures for April delivery fell 2.00% or 102.70 to $5,023.10 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery rose 3.74% or 3.58, reaching $99.31 a barrel, and the May Brent contract increased 3.16% or 3.17 to trade at $103.63 a barrel.
On the foreign exchange front, the peso was marginally weaker against major currencies: USD/MXN ticked up 0.07% to 17.95 and EUR/MXN rose 0.07% to 20.50. The US Dollar Index Futures advanced 0.75% to 100.50.
Friday's session highlighted a split among large-cap names, with select financial and retail names outperforming while miners and industrials bore the brunt of selling. The recorded moves in commodities and the U.S. dollar corresponded with the market's mixed tone heading into the weekend.