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Mexico's Pemex gets fresh stimulus, days after bond scores cut

Mexico's federal government approved a new fiscal stimulus for its heavily indebted state energy company Pemex, according to a decree released on Tuesday, part of a strategy indicated to satisfy its responsibilities and undertake investments this year.

The stimulus consists of a tax credit equivalent to 100% of the company's profit sharing rate, or DUC, for October, November and December 2023, in addition to January 2024, the decree published in the main gazette revealed.

Pemex's DUC, successfully a tax paid to the federal government, and one of the most important contributions to state coffers, has been slowly decreased during the presidency of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador from a high of 65% to 30% for this year.

While the Tuesday announcement does not information the amount of the benefit, a high-ranking Pemex source informed that it amounted to around 110 billion pesos (about $6.4 billion) and that it revealed the federal government's support.

This brand-new assistance will help us remove pressure and close the administration organized, added the source, who spoke on the condition of privacy. Lopez Obrador's term ends on October and his selected successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, is leading most polls.

It follows Moody's Investors Service on Friday cut the ranking for Pemex bonds from B3 to B1, pressing them deeper into speculative - or scrap - status.

The credit ratings agency had actually validated the cut with what it stated was an intensifying credit quality and likewise appointed a. unfavorable outlook that suggests a greater possibility of. another change to the ranking over the medium term.

It added that federal government support was high but could be. threatened if fiscal conditions weaken this year.

Neither Pemex nor the financing ministry reacted to requests. for more remark following the publication in the authorities. gazette.

(source: Reuters)