IMF hikes L.America econ outlook on commodity boom

Booming energy, mineral and agricultural commodities prices should raise Latin American economic growth this year to 4.3 percent and 3.6 percent next year, the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday.

The forecasts in its semiannual World Economic Outlook were up from September's 3.8 percent outlook for this year, but Brazil's gross domestic product was expected to grow 3.5 percent -- unchanged from September's IMF report.

Mexican growth was pegged at 3.5 percent this year and 3.1 percent next year. Argentine growth was hiked to 7.3 percent this year from September's forecast of 4.2 percent but is expected to slow to 4 percent next year, the IMF said.
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