Mexico keeps reporting record foreign direct investment, but the mix is changing. Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Economy show that brand-new investment fell sharply in the second quarter of 2026.
The numbers
- Q2 2026 total: US$10,465 million, down 3.5% year on year.
- New investment: US$654 million, down about 43% from US$1,155 million.
- Reinvested profits: US$6,871 million, about 66% of the total.
- First half of 2026: US$34,968 million, the highest for that period on record.
What it means
Companies already in Mexico are staying and reinvesting, but fewer new players are arriving. For those who do, early structure, tax and compliance planning is what turns market entry into a profitable operation.
Preliminary figures. Banco de México, using a different methodology, reports a larger drop in new investment (about 51%).
Sources: El CEO (August 25, 2026), with Ministry of Economy figures; Mexico Industry (May 25, 2026). This note is general information, not legal or investment advice.

