Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Argentina’s Official Dollar Ends February Down 3.5% as Central Bank Adds Reserves

A Treasury‑driven liquidity pulse likely fueled the late‑week bounce, alongside continued reserve buying by the central bank.

Overview

  • After a brief rebound late in the week, the Banco Nación rate closed Friday at $1,420 and the wholesale rate at $1,397, capping the steepest monthly drop in over six years.
  • The BCRA bought about US$1.555 billion in February and roughly US$2.712 billion year‑to‑date, lifting gross reserves to around US$45.56 billion.
  • Market desks reported that the Treasury’s choice to avoid fixed‑rate debt at its auction released pesos into the market, which coincided with the dollar’s mid‑week rise.
  • Consultancies PPI and Outlier cited data suggesting the Treasury alternated between buying and selling in the FX market, consistent with coordinated management alongside the BCRA within the banded regime.
  • Analysts expect a relatively stable March trading corridor near $1,400–$1,450, supported by continued FX supply and official reserve accumulation unless policy or political shocks emerge.