Argentina: Peso falls to new all-time low in late March
The Argentine peso depreciated in the last few weeks, despite the Central Bank’s tight monetary policy stance. On 3 April, the currency traded at 42.83 ARS per USD, bottoming out from a record-low of 43.90 recorded on 27 March. The result represented a notable 7.0% weakening over the same day of the previous month. The peso lost around half of its value compared to the same day last year and was 12.1% lower than at the beginning of the year.
The currency’s most recent slide reflects a spike in inflation in the first two months of the year; growing concerns among investors on Argentina’s dire economic state ahead of next October’s elections, as well as on the possibility of potential debt restructuring following the elections; and some contagion from heightened volatility in the Turkish lira. March’s slump follows several months of substantial stability of the peso, as in October the Central Bank (BCRA) moved to a monetary rule which sets a 0% monthly growth for the monetary base. That said, the slight appreciation observed in the last days of March and in early April follows the Central Bank of Argentina’s (Banco Central de la República Argentina, BCRA) decision to encourage banks to invest more in high-yield LELIQ notes—which should prevent investors from selling pesos—as well as the introduction of a floor on LELIQ rates during April.
Looking ahead, the peso is expected to depreciate further due to still-high inflation, policy uncertainty and fragile investors’ confidence, although the scope of its weakening should narrow compared to last year, thanks to the Bank’s tight monetary policy stance.