Is life returning to its trademark slow pace in Latin America as economies and exchange traded funds (ETFs) suffer in the wake of the U.S. credit slump?

In Brazil earlier last week, the Bovespa stock index fell 10 points to its lowest level in 10 weeks after industrial output came in lower than economists’ forecasts, reports Alexander Ragir and James Attwood for Bloomberg.

On Thursday, the stocks continued their slide as the nation’s second-biggest airline forecast larger-than-expected losses, while Citigroup strategists cut estimates for equities on concern about slumping commodities, report Alexander Ragir and James Attwood for Bloomberg.

Record oil prices may be stoking the fire of inflation, leaving many to potentially get burned later this year. The latest inflation rate came in higher last month than it has in two years. High fuel and food prices are adding to the inflationary pressures. Will iShares MSCI Brazil (EWZ) be able to stave off the losses?

Chile is another economy that was reaping the rewards of its natural resources. The U.S. housing slump has hit home there, as rising energy prices are mixing with a cheap dollar and inflation is inevitable, reports Sebastian Loyd for Bloomberg.

iShares MSCI Chile (ECH) is feeling the pinch, down 8.6% year-to-date.

iShares S&P Latin America 40 Index (ILF) has positive numbers for the 3- and 6-month moving averages, and it is just a hair below its 200-day moving average. Year-to-date, it’s up 2.9%.

Tags: Brazil, Chile, EWZ, Latin America