1.   Higher U.S. interest rates could make the already battered peso even less attractive relative to the dollar.

2.   Simply put, the Mexican government must convince those investors that it can stabilize the battered peso before they decide to take their money elsewhere.

3.   So it made total sense last week when Washington decided to pump billions into Mexico to prop up the battered peso.

4.   That is because the money is going mainly to shore up the battered peso, not to restore services.

5.   The central bank was selling dollars to shore up a battered peso only four months ago.

6.   Fears of warfare eased and the battered peso rebounded slightly Wednesday with word that Indian rebels in southern Mexico were ready to talk peace.

7.   Mexicans are reacting with skepticism to an emergency plan for wage and price controls and budget cuts intended to stabilize the battered peso and hold down inflation.

8.   Mexicans reacted with skepticism to an emergency plan for wage and price controls and budget cuts intended to stabilize the battered peso and hold down inflation.

9.   President Ernesto Zedillo signed an accord for emergency wage and price restraints Tuesday, vowing to stabilize a battered peso and combat the threat of spiraling inflation.

10.   Sensing Estrada was finished, traders swung into action late Friday and pushed the battered peso sharply higher.