Chile's peso closed higher against a weaker dollar on Friday following the positive trend in global markets, while stock indexes were little changed in light afternoon trade. The peso closed 0.7 percent higher at 619.20/619.70 per dollar, compared to Thursday's close at 623.50/624.00. Trade was volatile with the price for the dollar falling as low as 610.20 intraday.
"Our currency made strong early gains because of favourable conditions for regional currencies and global bourses," one trader said. A fall in US consumer prices in December that was less than expected also helped pressure the dollar lower. The peso, like other emerging currencies, usually fluctuates with investor appetite for risky assets such as stocks.