• Markets
• News

Updated at 1940 GMT

By Johann M Cherian and Shubham Batra

Sept 12 (Reuters) - The Mexican peso jumped for a second straight day on Thursday against a softer U.S. dollar supported by higher oil prices, while regional stocks hit a three-week high after Vale closed a deal over Brazil dam collapse in October.

MSCI's index of Latam currencies .MILA00000CUS rose 1.1%, with the Mexican peso MXN= leading the charge, rising 1.5%, tracking higher oil prices.

Mexico's Senate on Wednesday approved a sweeping judicial reform, which Moody's warned could have significant implications for the 's sovereign credit rating.

Despite Banxico being one of the last central banks in the region to begin its monetary policy easing cycle, the peso has underperformed peers, as investors priced in the likelihood of weak checks and balances in the region's second biggest economy.

"Mexican President Andres Lopez Obrador's move undermines investor confidence," said a group of analysts led by Antje Praefcke at Commerzbank.

"It is also questionable whether the law violates the North American Trade Agreement (USMCA). Under these conditions, the peso is likely to remain under downward pressure," they added.

Brazil's real BRL= rose 0.8% on lagging iron ore prices which hit a one-week high on prospects of improved seasonal demand in China IRN/. But the currency is down 13.7% year-to-date on concerns that debt-financed fiscal spending could risk the stability of the region's biggest economy.

Brazil's Finance Minister said on Thursday that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has requested studies to ensure that by the end of 2026 an income tax exemption will be applied to earnings up to 5,000 reais ($880) a month.

The currencies of copper producers Chile CLP= firmed 0.9% and Peru PEN= edged 0.2% higher, tracking higher prices of the red metal. MET/L

Colombia's peso COP= was over 1% higher against the greenback. The Senate's economics committee rejected the government's proposed 2025 budget, arguing that the country will be able to raise the proposed sum due to lower-than-projected tax collection.

Concerns around the oil exporter's increased risk to fiscal stability due to a collapse in tax collection has weighed on the peso - down 9% year-to-date and close to a one-year low.

MSCI's equities index .MILA00000PUS surged 1.5%, led by 1.6% rise in the Mexican shares .MXX that were at their highest level since July 31.

Both indexes were, however, on track for losses year-to-date as global growth worries have dimmed the demand outlook for commodities, which are the region's top exports.

Seven of the top ten stocks, which constitute over 40% weightage on the regional stocks index, were trading higher.

While Brazil's benchmark index .BVSP slipped 0.5%, miner Vale VALE3.SA jumped 1.5% as it expects to reach a final agreement with authorities in October regarding reparations related to the collapse of a dam in the city of Mariana.

Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies:

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Shubham Batra in Bengaluru)

((johann.mcherian@thomsonreuters.com;))