From Exxon Mobil Corp to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, companies rushed to borrow more money and boost their cash coffers on Tuesday, as the market turmoil fueled by a plunge in oil prices and the global coronavirus outbreak raised the prospect of an economic downturn.
Argentina agreed to start consultations with the International Monetary Fund that could lead to a new financing program, days after the global lender said the country’s debt situation had become “unsustainable”.
Argentina said it won’t make a local bond payment on time after failing to refinance the debt, declaring it won’t be “held hostage” by foreign investors demanding their money back. The maturity date for the note will be delayed to Sept. 30 from the original Feb. 13, the Economy Ministry said in a statement.
Pope Francis staged a surprise visit to admonish the International Monetary Fund chief and several finance ministers to help alleviate the debt burden of struggling countries, calling for “a new financial architecture” to ensure social justice.
Greater certainty around Argentina’s public policies could help reactivate growth and investments in the recession-hit country, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.
Beginning his second year as Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro has held firm to his combative culture-warrior policies while feuding with critics at home and abroad — an approach that has thrilled many supporters while eroding his efforts to win allies and lift the world’s ninth-largest economy out of its doldrums.
Chilean protesters clashed with security forces on Monday, several hours after embattled President Sebastian Piñera announced a cabinet reshuffle in his latest bid to end 10 days of street demonstrations.
Argentina's private-sector workers will see their wages topped off by 5,000 pesos (US$ 88) in a one-time non-taxable payment aimed at boosting their buying power amid surging inflation, the Production Ministry said on Monday.
Argentine markets ended the week on a high after capital controls helped arrest a sharp plunge in the peso currency and local bond prices, but investors said the outlook remained shaky amid swirling political and financial uncertainty.
Argentines remember the role the IMF played in the last depression. They also remember the improvement in their lives under Kirchnerism. The following was published by The New York Times.