Argentina's economy contracted sharply in the second quarter after a severe drought roiled agricultural production and as the country works with the International Monetary Fund to stem spiraling inflation and control government finances.
Argentina’s central bank sold US$ 261 million in reserves on Tuesday, the monetary authority said in a statement announcing its latest intervention in the foreign exchange market aimed at easing the fall of the local currency.
Argentina's battered Peso currency inched higher and the risk of its bonds defaulting declined after the government unveiled its budget plan and the IMF said “important progress” had been made on revamping the country's standby loan agreement.
The International Trade Union Conference, ITUC’s affiliates in Argentina, CGT, CTA-A and CTA-T have announced a general strike for 24-25 September in opposition to expected sweeping austerity measures being developed by the government and the International Monetary Fund.
Argentina's peso currency fell 3.51% on Thursday to close at a new record low of 39.9 per U.S. dollar, as market confidence ebbs away despite President Mauricio Macri's efforts to reassure investors. Dollar demand had risen on Thursday due to high liquidity sparked by an auction of treasury notes, traders said.
Argentina says consumer prices rose 3.9% in August, the highest rate so far this year. That brings the 12-month nationwide inflation rate to 34.4%, one of the world's highest.
Officials from the International Monetary Fund are in Argentina as part of talks to strengthen and accelerate a crisis loan package, the global lender said Wednesday. The IMF and Buenos Aires agreed in June on a three-year, US$50 billion rescue lending programme but Argentina has since asked for a more rapid disbursement.
Labor unions and social groups blocked streets in downtown Buenos Aires on Wednesday, with more marches planned over the days ahead over austerity measures proposed by the government and backed by the International Monetary Fund. Protesters are angry about the belt-tightening policies, which are cutting services to low-income Argentines already walloped by inflation of 31 percent and climbing.
Argentina's central bank kept its key interest rate on Wednesday at 60%, one of the highest in the world, following a surprise hike two weeks ago after the peso plunged. Central bank officials said in a statement that inflation accelerated in August and continues to do so September, citing high-frequency data.
Argentine equities and the Peso continued on Tuesday their slide amid global trade tensions, uncertainty about Argentina's 2019 fiscal budget, talks between the government and the International Monetary Fund and the political situation in Brazil, which together with China are Argentina's main trade partners