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Argentina Sticks With Exchange-Rate Bands as Caputo Rejects Free Float

Economists warn the bands could drain scarce reserves, with holdings about $9 billion below the IMF's December goal.

Overview

  • Economy Minister Luis Caputo reaffirmed that the peso will continue to trade within bands, arguing a free float is unworkable given political volatility and thin daily FX volumes of roughly $90–$250 million.
  • He framed bands as a proven stabilization tool in developing economies and said the current range of 931 to 1,502 pesos per dollar is well calibrated.
  • Caputo signaled an upcoming large inflow of export dollars as support for the current strategy.
  • FIEL chief economist Daniel Artana cautioned that defending an untenable parity would force reserve sales or swap use, noting Argentina is roughly $9 billion short of the IMF’s December reserve target.
  • Artana described U.S. support as a “virtual” backstop that eased tensions without a disbursement and contrasted easier access to a U.S. swap with China’s case-by-case approvals.