Overview
- This week the central bank pushed its year‑to‑date FX purchases above US$9.1 billion and the IMF approved a US$1.0 billion disbursement that helped gross reserves reach roughly US$47.9 billion, the highest level since 2019.
- April exports hit a record near US$8.9 billion, led by fuels and energy as Vaca Muerta scaled output and higher oil prices raised the trade surplus sharply.
- Corporate and provincial issuances returned in May, with placements above US$1.6 billion that bring near‑term dollar inflows but also create new foreign‑currency obligations for issuers.
- Higher international energy prices raised Argentina’s fiscal cost by triggering a large jump in energy subsidies in April, increasing pressure on the primary balance despite a maintained surplus so far.
- Key risks remain: the peso has appreciated in real terms, net‑reserve metrics fall short once short‑term liabilities are deducted, agro receipts are seasonal, and large 2027 debt maturities could reverse the recent calm.