Overview
- Banco Nación’s retail dollar closed at ARS 1,455 and the wholesale rate near ARS 1,430, marking a fourth straight daily drop and the lowest levels in about two months.
- The BCRA bought USD 125 million on Friday for a tenth consecutive session of net purchases, totaling USD 469 million on the week and USD 687 million since Jan. 5, with gross reserves around USD 44.6 billion.
- Informal and financial quotes also eased, with the blue dollar around ARS 1,480–1,505, the MEP near ARS 1,471 and the CCL about ARS 1,517, leaving relatively narrow gaps versus the official rate.
- The wholesale rate sits roughly ARS 116 (about 8%) below the top of the inflation‑linked band, the widest distance from the ceiling since mid‑November.
- Local assets firmed as dollar bonds gained and country risk hovered near 564–565 basis points, while analysts caution that illiquidity, high overnight rates and persistent inflation remain key short‑term risks.