The purpose of this study is to assess the importance of economic and institutional factors for outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) originating in the developing countries. The estimate drawn up through a panel data model for three countries in Latin America shows that these outflows are directly influenced by economic factors, such as gross-domestic product (GDP) growth and rising foreign exchange rates. Moreover, FDI is positively correlated with institutional variables such as globalization and education as well as with inward FDI stocks in their respective countries of origin. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.