Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Argentina’s Official Dollar Hits Two‑Month Low as Central Bank Extends Buying Streak

High rates with scarce pesos support a fragile calm.

Overview

  • Banco Nación’s retail dollar closed at 1,455 pesos, down 35 pesos on the week, as the wholesale rate fell to roughly 1,430 pesos and sat about 8% below the band ceiling of 1,546.18.
  • The Central Bank bought US$125 million on Friday, marking 10 straight sessions of net purchases and about US$687 million since January 5, while gross reserves hovered near US$44.6 billion after valuation-driven declines.
  • Informal and financial exchange rates softened, with the blue near 1,500 pesos, the MEP around 1,471 and the CCL near 1,518–1,520, keeping segmented market gaps in low single digits.
  • Sovereign bonds posted modest gains and the risk premium eased to roughly 564–565 basis points, with the S&P Merval edging higher.
  • Analysts link the exchange‑rate stability to tight liquidity and elevated short‑term rates plus stronger FX supply from agro liquidations, cautioning that illiquid money markets and volatile rates pose near‑term risks.