Holding the Line
The government has entered survival mode, taking risks that could mortgage the future. Trump’s rescue package created the conditions to accumulate dollars, especially since it was accompanied by the temporary elimination of export taxes on the agricultural sector. The farm sector delivered, with USD 6.3 billion in export proceeds, but only about USD 2.3 billion […]
A U.S. Lifeline and a Change of Strategy?
After the storm came some relief, thanks to the United States and the farm sector. Once again, the Government pulled an ace from its sleeve to avoid what could have been the beginning of a crisis. A window of opportunity has opened. The question is whether this time the Government will know how to use […]
The U.S. Gives Argentina a Window to Recalibrate the Program
The economic outlook has deteriorated exponentially in recent days. The poor election result in Buenos Aires Province laid bare the main weaknesses of Milei’s program: politics and reserves. Meanwhile, the government insists that the problem stems solely from the so-called “kuka risk” (political risk). The situation was becoming critical, and with today’s announcements, the government […]
Reserves Become the New Priority
The election in the province of Buenos Aires changed everything. Stocks plummeted, with bank shares falling by as much as 25%, while country risk climbed above 1,100 basis points, effectively ruling out any chance of market access in the coming months. The good news was that the exchange rate did not skyrocket. It initially depreciated […]
When Political Objectives Do Not Go Hand in Hand With the Economy
Yesterday’s elections in the province of Buenos Aires resulted in a resounding victory for Fuerza Patria (Kirchnerism), which defeated La Libertad Avanza by more than 13 percentage points. Although Peronism was expected to perform well, the outcome was far from what the polls had predicted.
Markets Remain on Edge Ahead of Elections
Argentina has fully entered election mode and, as usual, politics is shaping the economy. But it’s not just about politics: President Milei’s government is dealing with a broader mix that includes a corruption scandal within his inner circle, defeats in Congress, and unforced errors in economic policy. All this is unfolding in a context of […]
The Long and Winding Road to the Elections
Another turbulent week has passed in Argentina. There are two months left until the general elections, and just two weeks until the Buenos Aires provincial elections. Until then, noise and volatility will likely remain the main characters. Politics is playing its game, but on the economic front the field has also been muddied.
Disinflation, but at What Cost
Argentina is managing to bring inflation down, but only through a monetary squeeze whose sustainability is highly uncertain. Last week once again highlighted the erratic and opaque management of monetary policy. In theory, the Central Bank follows a quarterly target for monetary aggregates (transactional private M2). In practice, however, policy has been discretionary, with the […]
What Exactly Are the “Structural Reforms”?
Everyone says that after the elections, “structural reforms” will arrive. The government repeats it, the market expects it, and the IMF demands it. But if you ask what concrete measures are actually being considered, the answers are vague and generic. It seems there has been more progress on tax reform, some ideas on pension reform, […]
When the Market Speaks Louder Than the Plan
Last week was likely one of the most difficult ones for the government. The exchange rate took the spotlight again with a sharp jump, showing that the idea of the dollar slowly moving to the lower end of the band was just an illusion. The new level isn’t alarming, but the sudden move created concern, […]