Fifteen months after the beginning of the health and economic crisis, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are the economies in the region with the highest inflation rates, a behavior that was influenced by increases in fuel and transportation costs.
In the second quarter of 2020, a period in which the countries of the region were going through a severe economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, inflation levels were low and in some economies negative variations were reported.
Discounts and offers, increase in the price level generally and the rise in operating costs due to new health and safety protocols are the main threats to the profitability of companies in this new commercial reality.
Given this context of economic and health crisis, which derives from the outbreak of covid-19 at the global level, Ariel Baños, a specialist in price management and founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, explains what are the main threats that could affect the profitability levels of companies, and details some strategies that could be applied to mitigate the adverse effects.
Avoiding hurried discounts, managing price increases according to costs and improving cash flow are some of the strategies that companies can resort to protect their profitability in contexts of inflation and recession.
Ariel Baños, a price management specialist and founder of Fijciondeprecios.com, explains four strategies for maintaining profitability when companies face scenarios of rising prices and low dynamism in economic activity.
Making real sales projections, segmenting prices and designing savings options are some of the strategies that companies can use to protect their profitability in contexts of inflation and recession.
Ariel Baños, price management specialist and founder of Fijciondeprecios.com, details techniques that could help companies avoid negative effects on their finances, when faced with scenarios of rising prices and low dynamism in economic activity.
In June, the consumer price indexes in all of the countries in the Central American region recorded year-on-year increases in the transport spending division.
According to a report from the Central American Monetary Council, in June of this year, Nicaragua was the country that reported the highest year-on-year increase in the price level of transportation services, registering an increase of 9.8% compared to the same month in 2018.
Inflation deceleration and Risks to economic recovery.
The quarterly report from the Executive Secretary of the Central American Monetary Council (SECMCA) focuses on the region's inflation and recovery prospects.
Inflation, measured by year-on-year change in consumer prices, slowed in the second quarter of 2010 to 4.9%, compared to 2.9% in June 2009. This level is within the target limits set by the region's central banks.
After showing constant growth during 2007 and 2008, inflation indexes slowed down considerably in the second half of 2009.
The Executive Secretary of the Central American Monetary Council presented its 30th Regional Economic Update. In it, they calculate how much inflation was indirectly imported by the Central American countries.
For this, they elaborated indexes of the various components which explain price changes in the past years.
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.
Fitch Ratings reported that the risks to regional banks during the current crisis are growing and represent a major challenge for 2009.
The combination of reduced credit expansion, fund restrictions and increasing loan provisions have limited the profits of most banks and it is expected for these factors to continue to pressure the results in the coming months.