Johann M Cherian

Latin American stocks and currencies extended gains on Monday as the dollar slid on revived hopes of U.S. interest rate cuts this year, while caution prevailed ahead of monetary policy decisions by central banks in the region expected later in the week. MSCI's gauge for Latin American stocks rose 0.3%, hitting more than a three-week high, while the currencies index was up 0.2%. The dollar weakened as traders priced in close to two U.S. interest rate cuts this year in the wake of data on Friday that showed U.S. job growth slowed more than expected in April and annual wage gains cooled.

* Brazil inflation slightly exceeds forecasts * Peru c.bank cuts interest rate to 5.75% with inflation in target * Argentina's YPF slides on negative

* Banxico chief says rate cut a possibility at June meeting * Brazil's BTG Pactual posts 28% net income jump in Q1 * IMF staff, Argentina agree loan

* Petrobras shares fall after fuel sales hurt earnings * Argentina inflation slows to 8.8% in April * Chile raises FY GDP growth forecast to

Retail investors locked out of their digital vaults frantic to regain access to their accounts

* Petrobras slumps after its CEO to step down * Peruvian economy contracts in March * Colombia Grupo Aval's profits fall 73% in Q1 * Latam stocks

US stocks have opened mostly lower amid investor concerns about weakness in the country's economy.

Namibian asset demand soars ahead of election and amid oil discoveries

%%title%% %%sep%% %%primary_category%% %%sep%% %%sitename%% %%sep%% The discovery of increased reserves of crude oil in Namibia has sparked interest in Namibian assets, with an index fund tracking local government bonds poised for its biggest annual jump on record.

Wall Street closed higher on Friday, with all three major indices posting weekly gains as investors took comfort from data pointing to robust economic activity in the world's biggest economy.