MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fitch upgrades Uruguay ratings on improved external and fiscal solvency ratios

Inflation remains a challenge pushed by external price shocks, weather conditions and the rapid pace of domestic demand.

Uruguay had its foreign currency issuer default rating raised to BB+ from BB by Fitch Ratings, which cited improved external and fiscal solvency ratios. The rating outlook was revised to stable from positive.

The local currency issuer default rating was raised to BBB- from BB+ and the country ceiling was upgraded to BBB from BBB-, Fitch said. Uruguay’s foreign currency short-term issuer default rating was affirmed at B.

The upgrade reflects Fitch's opinion that Uruguay's external and fiscal vulnerabilities have reduced owing to improvements in its external and fiscal solvency ratios, strengthened external liquidity as well as better currency composition and maturity structure of government debt.

High GDP per capita income, strong social indicators, and a solid institutional framework underpin Uruguay's creditworthiness. Fitch believes policy continuity and political stability are solidly anchored by a strong institutional framework.

Uruguay's growth performance and outlook remain quite favourable. Its five-year average growth increased to 6.2% in 2010, considerably higher than the 'BB' median over the same period. Reduced trade and financial links with Argentina make Uruguay less vulnerable to economic developments in its neighbour.

While Uruguay is likely to continue outperforming peers in terms of growth over the forecast period, inflationary pressures have increased as a result of external price shocks, weather conditions and the rapid pace of domestic demand.

Inflation could average 7.5% in 2011, almost two full percentage points above the forecast for the 'BB' median (5.6%).

“While the macroeconomic policy framework has strengthened, further improvement in monetary policy credibility, greater coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, as well as moderate wage increases, would be essential to bringing inflation down closer to levels comparable to peers,” said Erich Arispe, Director in Fitch's Sovereign Group. While financial dollarization has receded, it still remains relatively high exposing the economy to foreign exchange shocks.

The favourable growth momentum, exchange rate appreciation and relatively moderate fiscal deficits have supported debt reduction in recent years, a trend that is likely to continue. According to Fitch estimates, central government debt could fall to 44.1% of GDP in 2011 from 50.2% in 2008, slightly above the 'BB' median.

Uruguayan authorities continue to implement a proactive debt management, reducing both foreign currency and roll-over risks. Local currency denominated debt has improved in recent years and could equal approximately 43% of total debt in 2011.

'Comparatively moderate government financing requirements and low government revenue volatility mitigate the impact of economic shocks on public finances,' added Arispe.

On the positive side, Uruguay's current account deficits are likely to remain moderate and over-financed by FDI inflows over the forecast period. Moreover, the increase in international reserves in 2011 could boost the external liquidity ratio to 168% in 2012, slightly below the 'BB' median of 176%.

Nevertheless, given the still high levels of financial dollarization and commodity dependence, higher external liquidity levels would further improve the economy's resilience to external shocks. In addition, higher international reserves would be positive for the sovereign's net external debt position as Uruguay continues to be among the largest net external debtors, at 46% of CXR, in the 'BB' category.

A sustained improvement in external and fiscal balance sheets as well as further consolidation of macroeconomic stability will be positive for creditworthiness. On the other hand, while not Fitch's base, a material deterioration in government debt burden and composition or increased macroeconomic in stability could also weigh on Uruguay's credit profile.