How is FDI measured in Mexico?

The Ministry of Economy and Banco de México publish foreign direct investment figures by sector, origin, and type of investment. INEGI provides integrated series and topics. Those sources allow placing an SME on the map: if it operates in a sector that concentrates more FDI (manufacturing, auto parts, logistics), the macro context usually translates into greater buyer interest.

Why does FDI matter for valuing or selling an SME?

Because capital flows into exposed sectors (nearshoring, relocations) increase demand for capacity and assets. That does not change the valuation method but can affect the multiple the market pays. The guide on valuation in a nearshoring and FDI context explains what to adjust in EBITDA and how to use that context in the negotiation.

Foreign direct investment (FDI): what it is and why it matters in M&A | M&A Glossary

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is capital that enters from abroad to establish, expand, or acquire businesses or productive assets in the host country. In Mexico, FDI is measured and published by the Ministry of Economy and Banco de México by sector and origin. For SMEs in M&A, FDI matters as macro context: sectors that receive more capital flows tend to attract greater buyer interest and may command higher reference multiples; the nearshoring guide and the guide on valuation in a nearshoring and FDI context connect that flow with sale and valuation opportunities.

Valuation in nearshoring and FDI context →

What FDI is and how it is measured in Mexico

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is capital that an investor in one country allocates to another to create, expand, or acquire businesses or productive assets with control or significant influence. Unlike portfolio capital (stocks or bonds without control), FDI implies participation in management or assets. In Mexico, the Ministry of Economy publishes FDI reports by sector and country of origin; Banco de México and INEGI provide series and tables that track evolution by manufacturing, services, trade, and other sectors. That information is the reference for placing an SME on the map of capital flows.

Why it matters for SMEs in M&A

In M&A, FDI does not replace guides on how to value, sell, or buy; it provides the macro context. Sectors that receive more FDI — from relocations (nearshoring), from integration with USMCA supply chains, or from demand for capacity — tend to attract greater interest from strategic or financial buyers. That can translate into higher reference multiples and into a value argument for the seller with the operation in order. To connect FDI, nearshoring, and operational valuation, the nearshoring guide describes the context by sector; the guide on valuation in a nearshoring and FDI context explains what to adjust in normalized EBITDA and how buyer and seller use that context in the negotiation.

What buyers and sellers ask about FDI

How is FDI measured in Mexico?: The Ministry of Economy and Banco de México publish foreign direct investment figures by sector, origin, and type of investment. INEGI provides integrated series and topics. Those sources allow placing an SME on the map: if it operates in a sector that concentrates more FDI (manufacturing, auto parts, logistics), the macro context usually translates into greater buyer interest.
Why does FDI matter for valuing or selling an SME?: Because capital flows into exposed sectors (nearshoring, relocations) increase demand for capacity and assets. That does not change the valuation method but can affect the multiple the market pays. The guide on valuation in a nearshoring and FDI context explains what to adjust in EBITDA and how to use that context in the negotiation.

In this glossary:

USMCA — agreement and nearshoring context.

Rules of origin — regional content and tariff treatment.

Business valuation — methods and context.

Normalized EBITDA — base of the most used multiple.

M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) — process and context.

Due diligence — verification before closing.

Investor list — early access to deal flow in Mexico.

Sources

FDI is the capital flow that reflects investor interest in sectors and in Mexico; its relevance for SMEs shows up in the nearshoring context and in buyer interest in regional capacity. To connect investment, sectors, and opportunities for SMEs, see the nearshoring guide: opportunities for Mexican SMEs in 2026; for valuing and negotiating in an FDI and nearshoring context, see the guide Valuation of an SME in a nearshoring and foreign investment context.