Colombian Peso Falls About 2.1% to 3,272 per US Dollar on September 23 While Colombia’s COLCAP Stock Index Gains 0.92%
Key Facts
- —The country. Colombia, 53.9 million people, has been led by President Abelardo de la Espriella since 7 August 2026, when he succeeded Gustavo Petro.
- —The money. The currency is the Colombian peso. On 23 September one US dollar bought about 3,272 pesos, up from roughly 3,203 the day before.
- —The index explained. COLCAP is Colombia’s main stock index. It tracks at least 20 of the most liquid shares on the Bogotá exchange, weighted by tradable market value.
- —The news. On Wednesday 23 September 2026 COLCAP rose 0.92% to 2,612.48 points, a rare gain in a falling world market, while the peso lost about 2.1%.
- —What is new. The split is the story. Shares rose on local buying, but the peso fell with a sixth straight decline in Brent crude, to about US$98 a barrel.
- —What it means for you. A weaker peso raises the local cost of imported food, fuel and electronics. It also stretches dollar salaries and dollar savings further in Bogotá.
- —The caveat. Breadth was thin: only one of nine tracked shares rose, so a few heavyweights carried the index. That makes the gain easy to reverse.
Today’s Focus
Colombia’s benchmark COLCAP equity index — the basket of the country’s most traded stocks — closed at 2,612 on Wednesday 23 September, a gain of 0.92%. That stood out against a downbeat global tape, where the S&P 500 fell 0.75% and the VIX volatility gauge jumped 6.83%.
The peso gave way as the US dollar index, the DXY, strengthened 0.58%. One dollar bought about 3,272 Colombian pesos by the close, a 2.1% move that pushed the currency toward the middle of its 52-week range of roughly 3,044 to 3,924.
Breadth was thin, with only one of nine tracked stocks rising by one market scan. That suggests the index gain was driven by a few heavyweight names rather than a broad domestic rally.
Oil, Colombia’s macro anchor, fell again. Brent crude closed near US$98.45 a barrel, down about 0.8%, its sixth straight losing session, leaving energy-linked sentiment weak.
What matters today. Colombian equities and the peso showed unusual resilience on a day when global markets fell, but narrow breadth and soft oil prices keep conviction low.
01 The session in one read
Bogotá’s stock market managed a quiet win on Wednesday. The COLCAP — Colombia’s main equity index, which tracks the most liquid shares on the local exchange — closed at 2,612, up 0.92% on the day.
That may not sound dramatic, but it came while major global benchmarks slipped. The S&P 500 fell 0.75%, the Dow lost 0.68%, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.69%.
The peso did not. A dollar bought about 3,272 Colombian pesos at the close, a 2.1% fall for the local currency as the US dollar strengthened broadly.
Oil, the country’s most important export, fell for a sixth session. Brent crude closed near US$98.45 a barrel and WTI near US$89.55, leaving the energy-heavy local index without a push from commodities.
The COLCAP’s gain against a falling global tape looks encouraging, yet breadth of just one rising name in nine tracked stocks suggests the rally was driven by a small number of index heavyweights. The peso’s 2.1% slide alongside a stronger DXY puts Colombia back in line with the rest of the region. The variable to watch is whether oil — Brent near US$98.45 and WTI near US$89.55 — can stabilise; a sustained slide would test both the index and the currency.
02 The day’s numbers
| Measure | Level | Change | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLCAP | 2,612 | +0.92% | Colombia’s main stock index rose despite weak global equity markets |
| USD/COP | 3,209 | +0.17% | The peso firmed slightly; the dollar bought fewer pesos |
| S&P 500 | 7,706 | −0.75% | US benchmark fell, with the VIX fear gauge up 6.83% |
| DXY | 101.184 | +0.58% | The US dollar strengthened against major currencies |
| Brent crude | ≈US$88.88 | −0.03% | Oil stayed soft, the key macro anchor for Colombia |
The equity outperformance was unusual; the currency was not. Latin American currencies broadly lost ground against the dollar, with the Mexican peso down 1.37% and the Chilean peso 1.62% weaker, and the Colombian peso fell furthest of the three. Because Colombia imports goods priced in dollars, a stable exchange rate helps contain imported inflation, while a weak peso can hurt local bond holders. Rio Times · Live Market Intelligence
Live Market IntelligenceColombia — Live Market Board
Colombia — Live Market Board
Instrument Last Change YoY Prev. High Low Volume
COLCAP
2,612.48
+0.92%
—
9.04
9.05
9.02
4,133
USD/COP
3,140
+0.03%
-22.04%
3,139
3,141
3,105
—
BRENT
88.88
-0.03%
+34.42%
88.91
90.07
88.12
29,713
WTI
83.11
-0.11%
+31.57%
83.20
84.35
82.40
166,848
ECOPETROL
16.92
-0.53%
+98.01%
17.01
17.05
16.79
737,591
BANCOLOMBIA
95.87
-2.18%
+96.15%
98.01
100.36
95.73
188,740
GRUPO AVAL
5.40
+2.66%
+76.89%
5.26
5.49
5.32
146,447
TECNOGLASS
42.30
-1.10%
-48.04%
42.77
42.73
42.05
60,908
CREDICORP
375.17
-0.49%
+49.60%
377.00
384.43
372.27
88,375
BUENAVENTURA
34.45
-1.02%
+88.07%
34.80
35.62
34.33
275,831
SOUTHERN COPPER
193.97
-0.26%
+104.01%
194.48
199.36
192.59
367,102
03 Why it moved — a steady peso and selective buying
The session split in two. Colombian shares avoided the risk-off mood that hit New York, while the peso and oil did not: the dollar gained more than 65 pesos and Brent fell for a sixth day.
One domestic story was getting attention: Colombia’s congress approved parts of the 2027 budget framework, with the government pledging 5.25 trillion pesos, about US$1.6 billion, for earthquake emergency spending. Budget headlines can move the peso because a credible fiscal plan reassures holders of Colombian government bonds.
Local utilities also made their voice heard. The services sector, which includes listed power companies, publicly asked the incoming administration for stable regulation and no abrupt rule changes.
Oil remains the macro anchor. With Brent near US$98.45 and WTI near US$89.55, both down for a sixth session, the energy complex stayed a drag on Ecopetrol-heavy portfolios.
04 The day’s movers
| Driver | Level / Move | Change | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grupo Aval | 5.40 | +2.66% | Largest reported gainer; limited turnover reported |
| Bancolombia | 95.87 | −2.18% | Heavyweight lender slipped despite the index gain |
| Tecnoglass | — | −1.10% | Glassmaker tracked with global cyclical weakness |
| Buenaventura | — | −1.02% | Gold miner fell as bullion dropped 1.72% |
| Ecopetrol | 16.92 | −0.53% | Oil major edged lower with crude prices |
Shares in Colombia were mixed even though the index closed higher. Grupo Aval, a financial holding company, was the standout gainer at 2.66%, closing at US$5.40 on its New York listing. Bancolombia, one of the country’s largest banks by market value, slipped 2.18% to US$95.87, underscoring the thin breadth. Gold miner Buenaventura fell 1.02% as bullion dropped 1.72% globally, while Ecopetrol, the state-controlled oil producer, eased 0.53% to US$16.92.
05 The regional scoreboard
| Index | Country | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Ibovespa | Brazil | −0.86% |
| IPC | Mexico | −0.22% |
| IPSA | Chile | +0.20% |
| Merval | Argentina | −0.94% |
| BVL Perú | Peru | −1.56% |
Colombia stood apart from a soft regional session. Brazil’s Ibovespa — the largest Latin American equity market — fell 0.86%, while Argentina’s Merval dropped 0.94% and Peru’s BVL index lost 1.56%.
Chile’s IPSA was the only other gainer, up 0.20%. The performance gap suggests local factors, not regional momentum, were behind the COLCAP’s rise.
06 The technical picture
At 2,612, the COLCAP remains well off its recent highs, and the 52-week positioning shows the index has room before confronting the levels that marked earlier selling pressure. The USD/COP sits at about 3,272, down 16.6% from its 52-week high, with the year’s range spanning roughly 3,044 to 3,924.
One caution is breadth. With only one of nine tracked names rising by one scan, the rally looks narrow and vulnerable to a reversal if the heavyweight stocks that carried it lose support.
Traders will be watching whether the index can hold above 2,600 on any follow-through selling, and whether the peso can claw back below 3,250 per dollar without oil’s help.
07 What to watch
- Oil prices: Brent near US$88.88 and WTI near US$83.11 are the anchor; a slide could drag Ecopetrol and the broader index lower
- Global risk tone: US equities fell and the VIX rose 6.83%; continued risk-off could test Colombia’s resilience
- Budget headlines: Congress approval of the 2027 framework and the 5.25 billion peso emergency pledge are key for peso stability
- Breadth: Only one of nine tracked stocks rose; watch whether gainers broaden or narrow further
Background: Colombia Stock Index COLCAP Gains 0.90% to 2,588.64 on 22 September 2026 as the Peso Slips to 3,203 per US Dollar.
Background: Colombia’s COLCAP Jumps 1.03% as the Peso Slides to 3,166.69 per Dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COLCAP?
The COLCAP is Colombia’s main stock index, tracking the country’s most actively traded shares on the Bogotá exchange.
Why did the peso strengthen when the dollar rose?
Even though the US dollar gained broadly, the peso firmed slightly to 3,209 per dollar, with the currency 18.2% below its 52-week high.
Which stocks stood out?
Grupo Aval rose 2.66% to 5.40 pesos, while Bancolombia fell 2.18% to 95.87 pesos; breadth was thin overall.
Is oil still important for Colombia’s market?
Yes. As a major exporter, Colombia’s currency and equities, especially Ecopetrol, are highly sensitive to moves in Brent and WTI crude prices.
COLCAP — Market data: RT; exchange figures from BVC
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
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