Retail sales in the LATAM economy of Mexico soared far above expectations and helped lift the country’s currency, the peso, against the US dollar.  Fueled by exploding consumer demand, April sales rose by 1.1% from March – creating a 4.9% annualized rise.  The year over year comparison is far more impressive when compared to expectations that the measure was going to contract by 1%.  Today’s numbers give a lift to a recent string of lackluster economic data out of Mexico – particularly when looking at the slow pace of inflation.  Consumer prices are rising at an annualized pace of 3.3% compared to earlier rates of over 4-5%.  The lower rate has prompted central bankers to remain on hold when it comes to near term rate hikes, especially in an environment of low consumer demand.  Mexican peso gains were apparent, with the USDMXN exchange rate currently at 11.784.