USD/CLP Analysis: Drivers, Iran, and Outlook

TL;DR: The Chilean peso has appreciated ~12% over 12 months (USD/CLP around 856-860), driven ~70% by external factors (broad dollar weakness, high copper) and ~30% by domestic factors. The U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 introduce a risk-off shock: near-term upward pressure on USD/CLP is expected, with magnitude depending on Iran's response and oil prices.

1. Current Situation

The dollar is trading around CLP 856-860 at the close of the last business week. Over the past 12 months, the Chilean peso has appreciated approximately 12% against the dollar, one of the best performances among emerging-market currencies. The DXY (Dollar Index) stands at ~97.7, far from its 52-week high of 110.2 and near 4-year lows.

However, today, Saturday February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran. This event, which occurred with markets closed, will substantially alter the landscape when markets open on Sunday/Monday.

2. Decomposition: Domestic or External Effect?

The peso's appreciation has been predominantly an EXTERNAL effect, amplified by favorable domestic factors.

2.1 External Factors (Dominant — ~70% of the move)

a) Structural dollar weakness (DXY)

The DXY fell from ~110 to ~97.7 over the past 12 months, a drop of ~9%. This explains most of the peso's appreciation. The drivers:

Fed rate-cut cycle: After 525 bps of hikes in 2022-2023, the Fed has pivoted toward an easing cycle. The market is pricing at least two additional cuts in 2026, with the first fully priced for July. This narrows the rate differential in favor of the dollar.

Mixed U.S. economic data: Manufacturing PMI has been below the expansion threshold for five consecutive months (47.8 in January). Nonfarm payrolls are generating barely 17K jobs per month on average (last 6 months), well below the level needed to sustain the American-exceptionalism narrative.

Capital outflows from the U.S.: In January 2026, net outflows of US$18 billion from the Treasury market and US$22 billion from the U.S. equity market toward Europe and emerging markets were reported.

Political uncertainty: Trump's pressure on the Fed to accelerate rate cuts, combined with an erratic tariff policy (the Supreme Court ruled the IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional, but the administration is seeking alternative routes with a 15% global tariff), erodes confidence in the dollar.

Market consensus for DXY 2026: Range 92-98, with a bearish bias. MUFG projects DXY 5% lower by year-end. Morgan Stanley and State Street see downside risk of 10% if the Fed cuts more than expected. Most analysts' base case points to gradual dollar weakness ("post-peak USD world").

b) Elevated copper price

Copper is the main external determinant of the Chilean exchange rate. In 2026, prices have held firm above US$5.90/lb (~US$13,000/ton), near record highs. Factors:

Structural deficit: The ICSG projects a deficit of 150,000 tons for 2026. J.P. Morgan projects a deficit of 330,000 tons and an average price of US$12,075/ton.

Supply disruptions: The Grasberg disaster (Indonesia) in September 2025 — the world's second-largest copper mine — removed 70% of its projected output. Quebrada Blanca in Chile also cut guidance. Escondida had a temporary shutdown in early 2025.

Structural demand: Data centers and AI generate ~475Kt of additional demand in 2026. The energy transition and electrification are medium-term drivers.

U.S. tariffs: There is an expectation of a 15-25% tariff on refined copper in the U.S. by mid-2026, which has generated a COMEX vs LME price arbitrage and U.S. inventory accumulation.

Goldman Sachs estimates copper prices will hold in the US$10,000-11,000/ton range in 2026, with downside risk in the second half if tariffs are defined. J.P. Morgan is more bullish at US$12,500/ton for Q2.

c) Flows into emerging markets

Dollar weakness and attractive real rates in emerging economies have driven capital inflows. Deutsche Bank highlights the Chilean peso, the Brazilian real, and the Mexican peso as currencies favored by this environment.

2.2 Domestic Factors (~30% of the move)

a) Monetary policy of the Central Bank of Chile

The MPR stands at 4.5% following the 25 bps cut in December 2025 (unanimous). The Neutral MPR is estimated between 3.75%-4.75%, with a midpoint of 4.25%. The MPR is just 25 bps above the upper bound of the neutral range.

The Chile-U.S. rate differential (Fed Funds ~4.25-4.50%) has compressed, but Chile maintains positive real rates with inflation converging to the 3% target.

The Central Bank projected in its December 2025 Monetary Policy Report (IPoM) that inflation would reach the 3% target in Q1 2026. However, the September 2025 IPoM was more cautious, signaling that convergence would materialize in Q3 2026 due to underlying pressures.

b) Solid macroeconomic fundamentals

GDP grew 2.6% in 2024, projected 2.4% in 2025 and 2-3% in 2026.

Dynamic investment in machinery and equipment, driven by large mining and energy projects (GFCF +7% in 2025, +4.9% in 2026).

Controlled and declining inflation.

Terms of trade favored by high copper.

Real exchange-rate appreciation that has fed back into the decline in inflation.

c) Relative political stability

Following the 2022 constitutional rejection, the Isapres Short Law (2024), and the pension reform (2025), Chile has cleared much of the regulatory uncertainty that weighed on local assets between 2019-2023. This has reduced the peso's "political risk premium."

3. Impact of Iran: Analysis of the February 28 Shock

3.1 What is happening

Today, Saturday February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated large-scale military strikes against Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, and Karaj. Trump described the operation as "major combat operations" and declared the objective of regime change. Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes. Explosions are reported across multiple countries in the region. It is the second time the U.S. has struck Iranian soil in less than a year (the first was in June 2025, limited to three nuclear sites).

Difference from June 2025: That was a "one and done" operation with limited price impact. This operation is described as "not a small strike" and apparently of longer duration. The risk of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is materially higher.

3.2 Transmission channels to USD/CLP

Channel 1: Oil and terms of trade

~20% of global oil supply transits the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts estimate a geopolitical premium of US$6-10/barrel already priced in before the strike. Brent closed Friday at US$72.87.

Contained scenario (days): Brent rises to US$80, then retreats. Temporary impact.

Prolonged scenario (weeks): Brent could exceed US$100 if there is real disruption in Hormuz.

Net effect on Chile: Chile is a net oil importer, so the rise in crude is NEGATIVE for the trade balance. However, this effect is partially offset if copper rises on flight-to-commodities and dollar weakness.

Channel 2: Dollar as safe haven

In geopolitical crises, the dollar typically strengthens as a refuge (risk-off).

CNBC reports that analysts expect "dollar and gold gains, equity losses" when markets open.

This effect is BULLISH for USD/CLP (upward pressure on the exchange rate).

However, the dollar's safe-haven effect has been less pronounced in 2025-2026 because investors question U.S. political stability and the fiscal deficit.

Channel 3: Gold and commodities

Gold already surpassed US$5,000/oz before the strike. It will likely rise further.

Commodities such as copper could be dragged higher if a generalized flight-to-hard-assets occurs, but the negative global demand effect (slowdown from expensive oil) could counteract it.

For Chile, copper is more relevant than oil in currency flows.

Channel 4: Risk aversion in emerging markets

In extreme geopolitical-risk events, emerging-market currencies tend to depreciate.

The Chilean peso could weaken temporarily (dollar up) due to capital outflows from emerging markets.

Typical magnitude: +3-5% of acute depreciation, reversible within weeks if the conflict is contained.

3.3 Estimated impact on USD/CLP

Scenario | Probability | USD/CLP Range | Duration
Contained conflict (1-2 weeks) | 40% | 870-890 | Spike and reversion in 2-4 weeks
Prolonged conflict without closing Hormuz | 35% | 880-920 | Elevated for 1-3 months
Partial/total closure of the Strait of Hormuz | 15% | 920-1,000+ | Several months of high volatility
Rapid diplomatic resolution | 10% | 850-860 | Return to prior levels within days

Note: These are speculative scenarios based on historical precedents and current market analysis. They do not constitute predictions.

4. Exchange-Rate Outlook

4.1 Short term (1-3 months) — High uncertainty due to Iran

Pre-Iran base scenario: The consensus pointed to a dollar in the 840-860 range in Q1 2026, with a gradually bearish trend. Analysts projected a year-end close around ~840 if copper stayed high and political stability continued.

Post-Iran scenario: The exchange rate will likely open significantly higher (stronger dollar) on Monday, March 3. The magnitude will depend on:

1. Iran's response over the weekend: If Iran closes or credibly threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, the impact will be severe.

2. OPEC+ statements: Its meeting is scheduled for this Sunday (March 1). The production decision will be key.

3. Saudi Arabia and UAE response: Both have spare capacity to replace Iranian output (~1.7 million bpd), but only if their infrastructure is not attacked.

Expected short-term range: 860-900, with extreme volatility.

4.2 Medium term (3-12 months) — Structural forces dominate

Regardless of the Iran shock, medium-term trends favor an appreciation of the Chilean peso:

Theory 1: Cyclical dollar weakness

The main thesis is that the DXY is in a secular weakening cycle. The Fed will cut more than the market prices (State Street, MUFG, Morgan Stanley agree). Seeking Alpha's "V-shaped" scenario suggests DXY falling to 94 in H1 and rebounding in H2, but the underlying trend is bearish. If the DXY falls to 94-95, this would imply USD/CLP in the 800-830 range (adjusted for the Chilean peso's beta to the DXY).

Theory 2: Copper supercycle

Multiple banks (J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BofA, Citi) project structurally high copper prices due to a mine-supply deficit, energy-transition demand, and AI. Goldman projects US$15,000/ton for 2035. If copper stays above US$10,000/ton, Chile's terms of trade remain favorable and the peso benefits. Historically, a US$1,000/ton increase in copper appreciates the peso by ~CLP 15-25.

Theory 3: Rate convergence

The Chile-U.S. rate differential has compressed, but if the Fed cuts more aggressively while the BCCh holds the MPR stable or reduces it gradually, Chile could maintain or recover a carry-trade advantage. The neutral MPR is estimated at 4.25%, suggesting limited room for additional cuts without turning policy expansionary.

Theory 4: Re-rating of Chile

After years of penalization for political risk (2019-2023), Chile is undergoing a re-rating as regulatory uncertainty clears. The IPSA rose ~30% in 2025. If this process continues, foreign-investment flows into Chilean assets will generate demand for pesos, appreciating the currency.

Theory 5: Geopolitical risk as a transitory depreciating factor

Geopolitical shocks (like Iran) typically produce acute but temporary depreciations in emerging-market currencies. The historical pattern is: risk-aversion spike → dollar up → weeks later, the market recalibrates → emerging currencies recover ground. Unless the conflict produces a global recession or a sustained energy crisis, the effect dissipates.

4.3 Consolidated scenarios

Scenario | DXY end-2026 | Copper (US$/ton) | USD/CLP end-2026 | Probability
Peso bull: Fed cuts aggressively, high copper, Iran contained | 92-94 | 11,000-13,000 | 790-820 | 25%
Base case: Fed cuts moderately, stable copper, Iran contained | 95-97 | 10,000-11,000 | 830-860 | 40%
Moderate peso bear: Prolonged Iran, risk-off, copper falls | 98-100 | 9,000-10,000 | 870-910 | 25%
Severe peso bear: Regional escalation, global recession, Hormuz closed | 100+ | <9,000 | 920-1,000+ | 10%

5. Portfolio Implications

5.1 Impact on fund positions

VAPORES: Double-edged. Hapag-Lloyd benefits from higher freight rates due to disruption in Hormuz (shipping lines rise during maritime conflicts), but the NAV depends on the EUR/CLP exchange rate for conversion. A stronger dollar indirectly weakens the CLP vs EUR.

CAP: The Iran conflict has an ambiguous effect on iron. If the crisis generates a flight-to-commodities, iron ore can rise temporarily. But if the resulting global slowdown reduces Chinese steel demand, iron falls. The net effect depends on the conflict's duration.

ENTEL: Relatively insulated from the direct conflict. The main risk is a weaker CLP that raises the cost of servicing dollar debt (if any) and reduces the USD value of its cash flows. But operationally it is domestic.

5.2 Currency hedging

Given the extreme geopolitical risk, consider:

USD/CLP forwards to protect positions with dollar exposure

USD/CLP call options as insurance against an exchange-rate spike

Gold position (ETF or derivative) as a macro hedge against a prolonged-conflict scenario

6. Sources and Key Data to Monitor

Indicator | Frequency | Source
DXY (Dollar Index) | Real time | TradingView, Bloomberg
Copper price (LME) | Real time | Trading Economics, Bloomberg
Brent/WTI | Real time | Trading Economics
Chile MPR | Monthly (8 meetings/year) | bcentral.cl
Fed Funds Rate | 8 meetings/year | federalreserve.gov
Chile IPoM | Quarterly (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec) | bcentral.cl
CL-US rate differential | Derived | Compute MPR - Fed Funds
Strait of Hormuz (traffic) | Daily | MarineTraffic, Bloomberg

Analysis prepared on February 28, 2026. Events are developing in real time. The estimates and scenarios presented reflect the information available at the time of writing and do not constitute investment advice.

Sources

Banco Central de Chile — exchange rate and monetary statistics

Bloomberg — market prices and DXY

MarineTraffic — Strait of Hormuz traffic

Federal Reserve — U.S. monetary policy decisions