News of austerity

Oxfam says IMF loans force spending cuts that exacerbate poverty

12-10-2020 12:39 The vast majority of International Monetary Fund loans extended during the Covid-19 pandemic have suggested or demanded spending cuts that would worsen poverty and inequality, charity group Oxfam says.

BLOOMBERG

Argentina’s currency woes show no sign of easing

10-10-2020 08:31 Argentina’s hodge podge exchange rate regime is running out of steam.

ECONOMIC POLICY

Central Bank optimistic over post-bond swap future

25-08-2020 19:20 Central Bank Governor Miguel Ángel Pesce says closure of the debt swap deal would relieve pressures on exchange markets and improve economic expectations.

IMF CREDIT-LINE

IMF: Argentina has not yet requested new financing programme

15-08-2020 11:00 President Fernández says in interview that he will not allow Fund to impose austerity measures as part of a new financing programme.

DEBT, DEFAULT. DEAL

Goodbye default my old friend

08-08-2020 08:44 The ultimate question is if this agreement will spare Argentina the ordeal of holdout bondholders – Guzmán will have conjured a miracle if there are none to worry about once this deal is done.

by Martín Gambarotta

BLOOMBERG

Argentina would ease currency controls if debt talks are successful

29-05-2020 14:56 Central Bank leaders implemented new controls Thursday night, restricting companies’ access to the foreign exchange market to pay for obligations overseas in dollars or other currencies.

ECONOMY MINISTER

Guzmán backs wealth tax, rules out austerity measures in interview

20-04-2020 15:12 Economy Minister Martin Guzmán backs idea of a wealth tax on the country’s richest individuals and firms in an interview with Horacio Verbitsky.

RATE CUT

Central Bank cuts interest rate to 38%

06-03-2020 08:00 In its statement, the Central Bank’s committee said cooling prices justified the rate cut but that the economy wasn’t in the clear yet.

RATE CUT

Central Bank lowers key rate to 40%, extending cuts

19-02-2020 18:15 Central Bank chief Miguel Pesce justifies the rate cuts as a tool to help turn around Argentina’s economy, which is expected to contract for the third straight year in 2020.

RATE CUT

Central Bank cuts key interest rate for fifth time since December 10

30-01-2020 21:29 Rate floor cut to 48 percent on Thursday from 50 percent. Central bank chief Miguel Pesce has lowered it from 63 percent since taking office December 10.

TRANSITION 2019

Sandleris confirms resignation as Central Bank chief

05-12-2019 06:58 Central Bank chief confirms he will resign post ahead of December 10 handover. Argentina's monetary institution has had 61 presidents in the 84 years since its founding.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Central Bank alters 2019 forecasts: 3% drop in GDP, inflation at 55.6%

05-11-2019 14:15 Monthly survey carried out by Central Bank downgrades forecasts for Argentina's economy.

CURRENCY CONTROLS

Central Bank tightens 'cepo,' sets US$50 limit on cash advances abroad

31-10-2019 22:10 The move comes three days after the Central Bank sharply tightened currency exchange controls to stem a surge in capital flight.

CENTRAL BANK

Sandleris asks for 'basic consensus' to ensure Argentina grows

16-10-2019 08:29 "If we manage to build basic consensus, our economy can leave behind instability and crisis, so that we can begin to grow steadily and begin to lower inflation," declares Central Bank chief.

BLOOMBERG

With controls in place, Central Bank cuts 85% rate, buys dollars

18-09-2019 14:08 Institution's move to choke off dollars hands peso some breathing room, with Central Bank buying dollars for first time in seven months.

BLOOMBERG

Bond investors keen to hear from Alberto Fernández's economic advisors

27-08-2019 12:24 Money managers including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and others have made contact with advisers to Alberto Fernández, with some pleasantly surprised by what they've heard.

BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS

With US$56-billion loan in danger, IMF officials arrive in Argentina

26-08-2019 17:13 IMF delegates, who arrived in Argentina on Saturday and immediately began meetings with policy makers, face a tricky choice with unwelcome echoes from two decades ago.

CHANGE AT THE TREASURY

Peso stability a priority, declares new Finance Minister Hernán Lacunza

20-08-2019 13:46 "Guaranteeing the exchange rate is a first-order objective," says Lacunza, who also promises that Argentina would keep 2019 fiscal targets set in alignment with IMF.