Argentina's Central Bank Monday lowered the annual interest rate from 110% to 80% to strengthen the national economy and improve liquidity in the financial market, it was reported in Buenos Aires. In addition, it was left up to each bank to decide on the minimum rate for fixed-term deposits.
Paraguay's Central Bank (BCP) announced this week that inflation in February amounted to 0% from January's values despite increases in education and food, particularly eggs, it was reported in Asunción. In the same month last year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) had gone up 0.5%. However, these achievements have a price tag.
Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) President Roberto Campos Neto said on Monday that inflation in South America's largest country was taking a turn in a benign direction, Agencia Brasil reported. In his view, the services sector requires the most attention because it has started to put a bit of pressure on prices.
According to Brazil's IBGE statistics bureau, inflation last month in South America's largest country reached 0.42% for an accumulated 4.51% year-on-year. These results were driven mainly by increases in the prices of food, Agencia Brasil explained. January's figures were lower than the 0.56% recorded by the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) in December.
Javier Milei made the headlines this weekend for his unpresidential kiss on stage with his romantic partner Fátima Florez at a Mar del Plata theater, where the entertainer was performing before celebrating her birthday.
Argentine President Javier Milei told the audience at his girlfriend's show at a Mar del Plata theater that inflation has started to go down and that the country will soon move forward. The head of state traveled on Saturday to the popular beach resort to be with Fátima Flórez during her birthday celebrations and returned to Buenos Aires on Sunday to make the arrangements for his trip abroad starting Monday.
Paraguay's Central Bank (BCP) Thursday released a report showing that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2023 was 3.7%, making it the fourth lowest in South America in addition to falling within the target range (3.8%). It also meant a decrease from 2022's 8.1%.
By Nouriel Roubini (*)
Heading into 2024, most economists and market analysts have adopted a baseline scenario in which most major economies avoid both a recession and renewed inflation – the much-desired soft landing. But the current encouraging consensus could still be derailed by any number of factors, not least geopolitics.
Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) Thursday said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December 2023 went up by 25.5% for an interannual total of 211.4%, it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Argentine President Javier Milei praised Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo for his management of the country's inflation for December 2023 and said that if it reached 30% it would be “a great number” because previous estimates spoke of 45%.