Argentina got something unusual on Thursday: a synchronized calm across its many dollar markets—and a burst of risk-taking in stocks.
After Washington signaled extraordinary support for the peso, the gap between the official exchange rate and the street-traded “blue” dollar shrank to a sliver.
In a country where multiple exchange rates usually pull in different directions, a tight gap is the market’s way of saying: panic paused. Equities told the same story. The S&P Merval leapt about 5.8%, led by banks and utilities, as traders quickly unwound defensive bets.
Abroad, Argentine ADRs and the main Argentina ETF rallied on heavy turnover. All this happened even with the U.S. Dollar Index still firm—normally a headwind for emerging currencies—which underscores how powerful the policy signal was.
Winners And Losers (Buenos Aires, Thursday close — Panel Líder):
Top 5 Winners: Metrogas +17.09%; BYMA +16.57%; Supervielle +16.25%; Grupo Financiero Galicia +11.88%; BBVA Argentina +11.26%.
Bottom 5 On The Day: There were virtually no outright decliners among major constituents; the weakest prints were small gains: Aluar +0.06%, Telecom Argentina +0.31%, Ternium Argentina +0.48%, Loma Negra +0.91%, Pampa Energía +1.39%. (Cresud edged −0.13%.)
Why it moved. A clear, credible backstop changed the short-term balance of power in
FX: fewer pesos scrambling to escape, fewer dollars hoarded, and a scramble to cover bearish positions in stocks and bonds. When Argentina’s many dollar prices converge, arbitrage pressure eases and risk assets breathe.
What the charts say (short version). On USD/ARS, the 4-hour view shows a stabilization floor and narrowing volatility; the daily chart reclaimed short-term averages but still needs follow-through above recent highs to argue a lasting turn.
On the Merval, a wide bullish candle punched through near-term resistance; confirmation now depends on volume when trading is fully back.
What matters next. Watch whether the official–blue gap stays tight, whether ETF and ADR volumes remain elevated, and whether policymakers deliver mechanics that turn a headline into hard support.
If the gap re-widens quickly, this was a pause in a long crisis. If it holds, the government has a window to rebuild reserves and stabilize expectations.
More: Argentina news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Live Market IntelligenceArgentina — Live Market Board
Rio Times · Live Market Intelligence
Argentina — Live Market Board
-0.58%
186,356.68
+0.61%
63,375.93
-0.78%
11,297.95
-0.73%
3,004,554
-0.58%
2,547.60
-0.02%
59,344.04
+0.07%
| Instrument | Last | Change | YoY | Prev. | High | Low | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERVAL | 3,004,554 | -0.58% | +30.51% | 3,022,485 | 3,042,365 | 2,991,150 | — |
| USD/ARS | 1,493 | +0.10% | +12.96% | 1,491 | 1,494 | 1,480 | — |
| YPF | 7,810 | +0.26% | +72.84% | 7,790 | 7,850 | 7,600 | 1,763,858 |
| GGAL | 6,980 | -0.78% | +1.82% | 7,035 | 7,115 | 6,920 | 1,564,062 |
| PAMPA | 5,115 | +0.69% | +26.70% | 5,080 | 5,140 | 5,000 | 721,190 |
| TXAR | 747.50 | -2.35% | +18.67% | 765.50 | 770.00 | 742.50 | 771,892 |
| ALUAR | 938.00 | -1.21% | +29.83% | 949.50 | 951.00 | 932.50 | 135,426 |
| TGS | 8,870 | -0.17% | +15.05% | 8,885 | 9,075 | 8,720 | 143,546 |
| CEPU | 2,156 | +1.84% | +28.36% | 2,117 | 2,165 | 2,086 | 404,146 |
| MIRGOR | 1,650 | -1.20% | -92.90% | 1,670 | 1,670 | 1,635 | 20,877 |
| COME | 40.93 | -0.73% | -30.47% | 41.23 | 41.60 | 40.50 | 4,258,884 |
| LOMA NEGRA | 3,130 | +0.08% | +5.80% | 3,128 | 3,205 | 3,090 | 182,992 |
| BYMA | 275.00 | -1.70% | +35.14% | 279.75 | 282.50 | 272.00 | 1,409,575 |
| TELECOM ARG | 4,233 | -0.70% | +55.19% | 4,263 | 4,335 | 4,160 | 31,896 |
| GLOBANT | 38.10 | -2.26% | -49.65% | 38.98 | 38.70 | 36.77 | 793,552 |
| MERCADOLIBRE | 1,870 | -3.59% | -20.71% | 1,940 | 1,927 | 1,870 | 329,640 |
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