THE WEEK IN ARGENTINA Menem moments 20-02-2021 07:02 Carlos Menem dominated Argentine politics for a decade. And his death, for a moment, meant he was all over the news once more. by Martín Gambarotta
A PRESIDENTIAL TETE Á TETE? Enough with the bickering – Alberto and Mauricio should meet 17-10-2020 09:05 At an extremely troublesome moment for the world, Argentina is engaging in ridiculous self-inflicted shocks of uncertainty. by Agustino Fontevecchia
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.
PERIODISMO PURO / INTERVIEW Hernán Lacunza: ‘We can’t reset the economy every four years, as we’ve been doing since 1945’ 18-07-2020 08:30 Former finance minister Hernán Lacunza on Argentina’s debt restructuring efforts, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, inflation and more. by Jorge Fontevecchia
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.
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.
PETROL PRICES Uncertainty after Fernández orders YPF to halt rise in petrol prices 03-01-2020 07:00 President’s decision to order the YPF state oil company to halt a five percent increase in petrol prices creates uncertainty among producers and suppliers.
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.
FUEL PRICES Government's fuel prize freeze ends with 5% hike 14-11-2019 15:42 Formal end of the 90-day fuel price freeze, imposed in wake of Macri's PASO defeat arrives, with prices rising from today by a five percent rise on average.
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.
BLOOMBERG Markets: Here’s what to watch after Argentines vote on Sunday 24-10-2019 13:34 With frontrunner Alberto Fernández in pole position, the question is how much support the new government will get in Congress and how conciliatory he may prove to market-friendly incumbent Mauricio Macri.
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.
Election 2019 Kicillof: 'There are people selling drugs because they have lost their jobs' 07-10-2019 13:50 "From going to the neighborhoods I heard news that due to the drop in employment, there are people who selling drugs," says Kicillof, prompting criticism from Patricia Bullrich and Cristian Ritondo.
BLOOMBERG Argentines shift money into short-term deposits ahead of election 03-10-2019 18:46 As the presidential vote draws closer, savers are increasingly choosing short-term instruments for their deposits.
PROVINCIAL RELATIONS Supreme Court rules for provinces in row over tax, IVA cuts 02-10-2019 16:42 In a blow to the Macri administration, Justices rule that national government's post-PASO measures should not be funded by co-participatory funds.
ELECTION 2019 Suárez's victory in Mendoza provides boost for Macri's re-election bid 30-09-2019 10:01 Rodolfo Suárez, Radical candidate running for Cambia Mendoza, emerges victorious with margin of more than 15 points over Peronist rival Anabel Fernández Sagasti, offering president timely boost.
Predicting the future What will Macri be like when he leads the opposition? 28-09-2019 04:29 Will Macri’s real contribution to the country be the construction of a reasonable opposition? by Agustino Fontevecchia
DEBT DEBATE Alberto Fernández offers first real hint as to how he will deal with debt 28-09-2019 03:14 Frontrunner in October’s presidential vote hints at Uruguay-style solution to debt problem, adding that he expects a “serious and sensible” negotiation with creditors.
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.
CAMPAIGN WATCH Macri and Fernández have good reason to cooperate 13-09-2019 23:48 If he wants to have a future in politics, namely lead the opposition or even dream of a comeback à la Chile’s Sebastián Piñera, Macri needs to deliver an orderly end to his traumatic first administration. by Marcelo J. Garcia
Op-Ed Contradictions, convictions and convergence 13-09-2019 22:58 Contradictions have been constant in the five weeks since the PASO upset conferred frontrunner status on Fernández – an upset which has triggered sporadic market mayhem and massive downtown picket protests.
STATE-RUN ENERGY FIRM YPF pursues US$5-billion LNG project, despite political havoc 05-09-2019 07:00 Argentina’s state-run oil company is pressing on with plans despite financial and political chaos.
Turbulence The campaign or the nation? 31-08-2019 01:30 Argentina’s ninth debt default in its history is but one more stain in an already tarnished reputation. by Agustino Fontevecchia
AS I SEE IT Something unpleasant is coming our way 31-08-2019 01:07 If Alberto Fernández does win office in October, his government will have to choose between setting off a hyperinflationary firestorm and undertaking a fiscal squeeze every bit as ferocious as was applied in 2002. by James Neilson
INTERVIEW: PERIODISMO PURO Pichetto: 'Words like 'irreversible' are too rigid for Argentine politics.' 31-08-2019 00:55 From Peronist Senate stalwart to vice-presidential candidate. President Mauricio Macri’s running-mate, Miguel Ángel Pichetto explains why Juntos por el Cambio can still win in October. by Jorge Fontevecchia
argentina What we learned this week: August 24 to 30 31-08-2019 00:17 Key stories from the last seven days in Argentina.
BLOOMBERG Argentina’s dire month: from dry run election to quasi default 30-08-2019 11:20 The government's debt restructuring closes out month of economic turbulence.
PASO RESULTS Final PASO results: Fernández beats Macri by four million votes 29-08-2019 18:19 In Buenos Aires Province, Axel Kicillof confirmed a victory over María Eugenia Vidal by 1.7 million votes.
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.
ECONOMIC MEASURES 16 governors appeal to Supreme Court over Macri's IVA cut 26-08-2019 14:04 The governors argue the sales tax cut is unconstitutional and circumvents Congress.
DOWNTOWN RALLY Pro-Macri rally brings tens of thousands to streets of Buenos Aires 25-08-2019 09:09 Supporters march from Obelisk to Plaza de Mayo. President Macri greets crowd from balcony of Casa Rosada. The demonstration, organised through social networks, comes in the wake of Macri's electoral setback in recent PASO primary elections.
FEDERAL ECONOMIES Macri’s post-PASO measures meet with resistance from provinces 24-08-2019 09:25 Opposition governors claim measures are unconstitutional in statement. Oil-producing provinces go to Supreme Court to challenge emergency decree freezing fuel prices for 90 days.
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.
NEW MINISTER Hernán Lacunza begins work after being sworn in as new finance minister 20-08-2019 08:58 "I want to thank Hernán Lacunza for accepting this complex responsibility in such a difficult time," declares President Macri at Casa Rosada ceremony.
Bolsonaro's Brazil Bolsonaro: Argentines took out money from banks 'en masse' after Fernández win 19-08-2019 15:06 Since the Frente de Todos candidate's win in this month's primary, the Brazilian president has repeatedly attacked the Kirchnerite party, slamming "leftist bandits" seeking "return to power."
BLOOMBERG Supporters stand by Alberto Fernández after week of market turmoil 19-08-2019 12:49 Macri supporters are clinging to hopes he can turn around his campaign and pull off an upset in the October 27 presidential election.
BLOOMBERG Fresh turmoil on cards after Dujovne resignation, debt downgrades 19-08-2019 08:11 Negative headlines may unleash a fresh bout of market turmoil after a brief respite at the end of last week. Argentina’s global bonds will be the first to react, while the nation’s currency and stock markets remain closed on Monday due to a local holiday.
ECONOMIC MEASURES President echoes opponents with post-PASO measures for pockets 17-08-2019 11:05 In wake of heavy defeat in primaries, Macri administration annonuces salary hikes, tax cuts and slashes IVA off basic food products, in bid to tackle runaway inflation and get voters back onside.
POST-PASO ARGENTINA A week is a long time in politics 17-08-2019 10:46 President Mauricio Macri’s PASO loss to Alberto Fernández has dramatically altered Argentina’s political landscape. by James Grainger
ELECTION 2019 Macri fumbles PASO 17-08-2019 09:59 How did that happen? Well, unemployment is higher than in 2015. Poverty is higher than 2015. Inflation is higher than in 2015. Voters are having a hard time making ends meet. Top all that with the massive utility rate hikes and what do you get? Electoral defeat, that’s what. by Martín Gambarotta
ELECTION 2019 Post PASO depression 17-08-2019 09:09 The country finds itself in a conundrum. An election that is not an election has prompted a potential ‘puppet candidate’ into a virtual status of power. by Agustino Fontevecchia
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Héctor Torres: ‘Macri has to work for the country, not for his re-election’ 16-08-2019 17:22 Former IMF executive director and international economic law and trade expert Héctor Torres on ‘Black Monday,’ the errors of the Macri administration and why Alberto Fernández and the president must put Argentina first. by Lucas Robinson
PASO FALL-OUT Macri moves to eliminate IVA from food items 15-08-2019 20:48 President moves to eliminate IVA (VAT, value-added tax) from basic food products – such as bread, milk and other foods – until December.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Markets: Dead-cat bounce finally arrives for Argentine markets 15-08-2019 15:08 After a brutal three-day sell-off that saw average yields spike to 21% and an implied probability of default gauge surge above 80% percent, investors finally found prices cheap enough to begin taking risk in the battered credit.
TWO LEADERS SPEAK Macri holds 'long and good' telephone conversation with Fernández 14-08-2019 16:10 Earlier in the day, opposition leader Alberto Fernández had rejected the idea of meeting with the current president, saying "it doesn't make sense."
BLOOMBERG Bitcoin draws premium in Argentina and Hong Kong amid sell-off 14-08-2019 09:35 The turmoil in Argentina and Hong Kong is prompting local investors to pay a premium for Bitcoin.