BLOOMBERG Argentine firms cut from dollar access rush to refinance debt 20-05-2022 13:39 Local firms begin to refinance debt due next year as they lose faith Central Bank will roll back restrictions that limit access to dollars.
BLOOMBERG Dollar bonds yielding 0% are minting money for Argentine banks 13-05-2022 16:14 Banks have latched on to a lucrative trade that produces all-but-guaranteed profits while also allowing local corporations to sell dollar bonds paying coupons as low as zero percent.
BLOOMERG Central Bank raises key rate to 49% as inflation jumps 12-05-2022 20:19 Central Bank to raise interest rates for the fifth time this year in a bid to keep up with rising inflation.
BLOOMBERG Argentina slams brake on crypto, banning purchases through banks 06-05-2022 08:39 Central Bank bans financial institutions from offering clients any operations involving unregulated digital assets, effectively banning engagement with cryptocurrencies.
BRAZILIAN ECONOMY Brazil hikes key interest rate 10th straight time 04-05-2022 21:13 Brazil's Central Bank raises key interest rate for the 10th straight time, trying to tame surging inflation that has proved tough to slow for policy makers.
BLOOMBERG Ualá launches mobile payments for small businesses in Mexico 28-04-2022 10:19 Argentina’s Ualá mobile payments company is expanding into merchant services in Mexico.
BLOOMBERG Central Bank raises key rate to 47% as inflation soars 13-04-2022 20:52 Central Bank raises interest rates for the fourth time this year after inflation data shows prices increasing at the fastest monthly pace in 20 years.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina receives US$9.7B after IMF board signs off on debt deal 25-03-2022 20:36 IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warns that “risks” lie ahead, concedes “early recalibration” of programme may be necessary.
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS IMF approves Argentina’s US$45-billion deal already facing risks 25-03-2022 16:40 The International Monetary Fund has approved Argentina’s US$45-billion agreement, the final step to cement a deal that’s already facing economic and political challenges.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Economy misses fourth-quarter estimates, but has record year 24-03-2022 14:45 GDP rose 10.3% in 2021, the best performance since the series began in 2004, according to official data.
CENTRAL BANK Argentina's Central Bank raises key rate to 44.5% as inflation heats up 23-03-2022 15:42 Central Bank raises benchmark rate for the third time this year as inflation continues to speed up.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF board to meet Friday to discuss Argentine debt deal 19-03-2022 18:46 The International Monetary Fund announced Saturday that its board of directors will discuss Argentina’s US$45-billion agreement on March 25, the final step of approval after two years of negotiations.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF admits Ukraine war will impact targets in Argentina’s new programme 18-03-2022 17:50 International Monetary Fund admits economic consequences of Russia's attack on Ukraine will likely impact upon targets outlined in Argentina’s new financing programme.
IMF DEBT DEAL Senate approves IMF deal, now goes to board vote 18-03-2022 09:10 In a 56-13 vote with three abstentions, senators approve legislation underpinning Argentina’s latest IMF programme.
IMF DEBT DEAL Senate set to open debate on government's IMF bill 13-03-2022 21:25 IMF bill due to reach Senate Budget Committee on Monday, with the ruling coalition wanting it approved by the end of the week.
IMF DEBT DEAL PROTESTS Fernández de Kirchner hits out at ‘paradoxical’ attack on her Senate office 11-03-2022 16:40 Vice-president and Senate chief expresses dismay at "paradoxical" attack on her Senate office during protests against government's International Monetary Fund debt bill.
LAWMAKERS DEBATE DEBT DEAL IN CONGRESS Senate prepares to debate IMF deal after lower house backs bill 11-03-2022 16:25 Upper house to begin debate on bill on Monday, with government seeking approval before start of following week, when US$2.9-billion maturity is due.
IMF DEBT DEAL Lawmakers in lower house approve deal with IMF to repay debt 11-03-2022 10:07 Lawmakers in the lower house approve a deal with the International Monetary Fund to restructure US$45-billion debt; Senate must still vote to back deal.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina’s IMF deal bill passes in lower house, heads to Senate 11-03-2022 09:24 In early hours of Friday morning, Argentina's lower house of Congress approved bill underpinning government’s US$45-billion agreement with the IMF.
IMF DEBT DEAL Lower house prepares to vote on IMF deal, approval likely 10-03-2022 23:16 Argentina's lower house on track to approve government's deal to restructure its US$45-billion debt with the International Monetary Fund in a session just after midnight; Senate still to vote; Protesters clash with police during demonstrations against deal outside Congress.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Federico Sturzenegger: ‘Once the Central Bank is independent, the planets align’ 10-03-2022 15:50 Economist Federico Sturzenegger on his time leading the Central Bank, Economy Minister Martín Guzmán and Argentina’s IMF debt deals in 2018 and 2022. by Jorge Fontevecchia
IMF DEBT DEAL Government asks Congress to speed through passage of IMF deal 08-03-2022 21:17 President Alberto Fernández's government calls on Congress to "speed up" the treatment of its bill to refinance Argentina's US$45-billion debt with the International Monetary Fund.
IMF DEBT DEAL Deputies to start debating IMF deal as key week gets underway 07-03-2022 10:23 After months of negotiation between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Argentina's Congress will finally begin to officially debate a bill outlining the new financing programme this week.
BLOOMBERG – INTERVIEW Stephen Kaplan: China faces ‘creditor trap’ in lending to Latin America 07-03-2022 08:00 China will be more cautious about extending loans to Latin American countries after difficulties securing repayment suggest it has sometimes fallen into a “creditor trap,” according to economist Stephen Kaplan.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF bill reaches Congress to a backdrop of uncertainty 04-03-2022 23:32 Bill outlining agreement between Argentina and the IMF sent to lower house; Doubts persist over support from Kirchnerite lawmakers in ruling coalition; Opposition says it will wait to hear presentation from Guzmán.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina would receive US$9.8B in first IMF disbursement, says Guzmán 04-03-2022 23:00 Argentina's government will receive about US$9.8 billion in a first disbursement from the International Monetary Fund if its new financing programme is approved, Economy Minister Martín Guzmán said on Friday.
IMF DEBT DEAL Government posts IMF bill documents ahead of Congress debate 04-03-2022 22:58 Argentina on Friday released the text of a memorandum of understanding and accompanying documents that are part of the agreement it has reached with International Monetary Fund.
IMF DEBT DEAL Details of the IMF agreement that the government has sent to Congress 04-03-2022 18:22 Agreement foresees Argentina registering inflation of up to 48% this year, economic growth of 4.5% and receiving IMF disbursements of more than US$24 billion until end of 2022.
BLOOMBERG Argentina inks US$45-billion staff-level IMF deal in key step 03-03-2022 21:02 Staff-level accord, which includes commitments to narrow fiscal deficit and money-printing while unwinding energy subsidies, will seek to address “persistent” high inflation and public finances.
IMF DEBT TALKS Argentina says it has overcome energy-fee hurdle in IMF agreement 03-03-2022 15:12 Argentina has hammered out an agreement with the International Monetary Fund over how to handle energy subsidies, presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti said on Thursday.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina’s draft IMF agreement heads to Congress 02-03-2022 23:46 Sources close to Lower House Speaker Sergio Massa confirm to local media outlets that a bill outlining Argentina’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund will be sent to Congress this Thursday.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina has reached a deal with IMF staff, says president 01-03-2022 22:01 President Alberto Fernández announces government has reached an agreement with the staff of the International Monetary Fund on details needed to refinance the country’s loan with the Washington organisation.
NEW ROUND OF FUNDING World Bank approves US$2 billion of funds for Argentina in 2022 23-02-2022 12:45 World Bank commits more than US$2 billion in fresh funding to Argentina following meeting with officials.
'Suisse Secrets' investigation Venezuelans accused of looting PDVSA held accounts at Credit Suisse 21-02-2022 15:31 More than 20 Venezuelans linked to corruption involving state energy firm PDVSA had "assets of more than US$273 million in 25 Credit Suisse accounts," a new investigation reveals.
'Suisse Secrets' investigation Investigation claims Credit Suisse bank handled dirty money 21-02-2022 15:01 Switzerland's second-largest bank Credit Suisse held billions of dollars of dirty money for decades, a new cross-border media investigation has claimed, based on a massive data leak from an anonymous source.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF and Argentina engaged in ‘intense negotiations,’ says Fund official 18-02-2022 20:54 Government wants to send a bill to Congress containing details of a new IMF financing programme “before March,” according to Casa Rosada sources.
'MARCH THE TERRIBLE' Sense of dread grows in Argentina with difficult March ahead 18-02-2022 18:52 Crucial factors come into play next month. Soaring inflation, strained reserves, debate over the IMF deal and public-service tariffs are making March into a pressure cooker.
BLOOMBERG Argentina’s Central Bank raises key rate to 42.5% 18-02-2022 03:00 Second rate hike this year; IMF staff have called for interest rates in Argentina to exceed annual inflation.
IMF DEBT DEAL Government wants to send IMF deal to Congress before start of March 18-02-2022 01:47 Casa Rosada sources say they hope negotiations with IMF staff over a new financing programme will be completed “in a matter of days.”
Bloomberg Argentina’s 50% inflation has crypto credit cards booming 16-02-2022 20:41 With inflation surging at a more than 50% annually, cryptocurrency exchange Lemon Cash plans to increase issuance of Bitcoin rewards cards this year.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Inflation reached 3.9% in January, lifting annual rate to 50.7% 15-02-2022 22:08 Consumer prices rose 3.9% in January as inflation accelerated for a second straight month, the INDEC national statistics bureau reported on Wednesday.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Inflation accelerates for second straight month 15-02-2022 21:55 Argentina’s inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month in January as the Central Bank sped up the pace of its controlled currency devaluations.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF board to discuss progress in Argentina programme on Wednesday 15-02-2022 21:30 The International Monetary Fund’s board of directors will meet on Wednesday to discuss the state of negotiations with Argentina.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF risking its reputation with 'disappointing' Argentina deal, says former Fund official 15-02-2022 13:25 Ex-director of IMF's Western Hemisphere Department criticises "weak" and "disappointing" agreement between multilateral lender and Argentina, warning it is likely to go "off-track."
IMF DEBT DEAL 'Act of good sense' – President praises opposition support for IMF deal 12-02-2022 21:26 President Alberto Fernández praises opposition coalition's support for new IMF financing programme. saying he considered it to be an "act of good sense."
IMF DEBT DEAL Government, opposition tell IMF Argentina is ready to ‘meet its obligations’ 12-02-2022 09:59 Rare signs of unity as Frente de Todos and Juntos por el Cambio indicate they will support IMF agreement in Congress; Fund spokesman says staff are working closely with government officials to secure new financing deal "as quickly as possible." by James Grainger
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Sergio Chodos: ‘The 2018 agreement left us Argentines with nothing’ 11-02-2022 00:01 Executive Director for the Southern Cone at the IMF explains in detail how the agreement was reached, anticipating some of the fine print and unfolding the government’s economic vision. by Jorge Fontevecchia
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF aiming to finalise loan for Argentina quickly 10-02-2022 15:25 IMF staff are working closely with officials in Argentina to secure an agreement on a new financing deal "as quickly as possible," says spokesperson.
PRICE RISES IN AMERICAS Brazil posts highest January inflation rate since 2016 09-02-2022 16:50 Brazil's inflation rate slowed in January, but still came in at the highest level for the month since 2016, the government said Wednesday.
IMF DEBT DEAL Left-wing demonstrators march to condemn Argentina's deal with IMF 08-02-2022 22:01 Left-wing demonstrators rally in Buenos Aires and call on the government to reject any deal with the International Monetary Fund.