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Argentina Races to Rebuild Reserves Under Band Constraints as Caputo Vows Plan and Buybacks

IMF sign-off depends on verifiable reserve gains within a band system that leaves little room for dollar purchases.

Overview

  • The government needs to add roughly US$9 billion to reserves before year-end to meet the IMF accumulation target, according to private estimates cited by local media.
  • Economy Minister Luis Caputo told investors Argentina will begin reserve purchases, launch a sovereign debt repurchase program, and deliver a detailed plan within 30 days.
  • The official wholesale dollar trades near the top of the crawling band at ARS 1,420.50 versus a ceiling of 1,500.99, a narrow gap that could trigger forced Central Bank sales at the limit.
  • Net reserves excluding a US$14 billion IMF transfer are reported deeply negative, while gross reserves hover near US$40–41 billion, after a US$796 million IMF interest payment was made from reserves.
  • To secure fresh dollars, officials are accelerating concessions and privatizations and preparing debt placements, even as markets rally with risk-country below 600 basis points and investors question near-term external market access.