RISK FACTORS
The following risk factor supplements the information contained under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus. You should consult your financial and legal advisors about the risks of investing in the debt securities and the suitability of your investment in light of your particular situation. Mexico disclaims any responsibility for advising you on these matters.
There can be no assurances that Mexico’s credit ratings will improve or remain stable, or that they will not be downgraded, suspended or cancelled by the rating agencies.
Mexico’s long-term public external indebtedness was downgraded in the spring of 2020 by each of the three major credit rating agencies. On March 26, 2020, S&P cut Mexico’s rating from BBB+ to BBB, and on April 15, 2020, Fitch cut Mexico’s debt rating from BBB to BBB-, both downgrades due to expected economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil prices. On November 11, 2020, Fitch affirmed its BBB- rating with a stable outlook, and on December 2, 2020, S&P affirmed its BBB rating with a negative outlook. On April 17, 2020, Moody’s downgraded Mexico’s debt rating from A3 to Baa1 and maintained its negative outlook, citing a material decline in Mexico’s medium-term economic growth prospects and continued weakening of the financial and operational condition of Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).
Ratings address the creditworthiness of Mexico and the likelihood of timely payment of Mexico’s long-term debt securities. Ratings are not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell securities and may be changed, suspended or withdrawn at any time. Mexico’s current ratings and the rating outlooks currently assigned to it depend, in part, on economic conditions and other factors that affect credit risk and are outside the control of Mexico, as well as assessments of the creditworthiness of its productive state-owned enterprises. Certain ratings agencies may also downgrade PEMEX’s credit ratings, as they have in the past, and their assessment of PEMEX’s creditworthiness may affect Mexico’s credit ratings.
There can be no assurances that Mexico’s credit ratings will be maintained or that they will not be downgraded, suspended or cancelled. Any credit rating downgrade, suspension or cancellation may have an adverse effect on the market price and the trading of the notes.
Changes in the interest rate environment could adversely impact the trading price of the notes.
We expect that the trading price of the notes will depend on a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the interest rate environment.
If interest rates, or expected future interest rates, rise during the terms of the notes, the price of the notes will likely decrease. The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of the notes. Because interest rates and interest rate expectations are influenced by a wide variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that changes in interest rates or interest rate expectations will not adversely affect the trading price of the notes.
There can be no assurances that Mexico will make disbursements for projects with the specific characteristics described in the “Use of Proceeds” section in an amount equal to the proceeds from the sale of the notes.
The examples of projects provided in the “Use of Proceeds” section of this prospectus supplement and the SDG Sovereign Bond Framework are for illustrative purposes only, and no assurance can be provided that Mexico will make disbursements for projects with these specific characteristics in an amount equal to the proceeds from the sale of the notes. There can be no assurance that any projects will meet investor expectations regarding social performance. In addition, there is currently no market consensus on what precise attributes are required for a particular project or series of notes to be defined as “social” or “sustainable” and therefore no assurance can be provided to investors that selected projects will meet all investor expectations regarding social performance. Furthermore, no assurance is given that the notes will satisfy, in whole or in part, any present or future taxonomies, standards and/or other regulatory or index inclusion criteria or voluntary guidelines with which an investor or its investments may be expected to comply, including but not limited to the taxonomy established pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 18, 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment or any European Union Green Bond Standard. Adverse social impacts may occur during the design, construction and operation of the projects, or the projects may be subject to controversy or to criticism by activist groups or other stakeholders.
No assurance or representation is given as to the suitability or reliability for any purpose whatsoever of any opinion or certification of any third party (whether or not solicited by Mexico) in connection with the SDG Sovereign Bond Framework or the notes. No such opinion or certification is, nor should it be deemed to be, a recommendation by Mexico, any underwriter or any other person to buy, sell or hold any notes. For the avoidance of doubt, no such opinion or certification is, nor shall it be deemed to be, incorporated into this prospectus supplement.
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