Paraguay's Central Bank (BCP) confirmed Thursday in Asunción that after 2 years of overshooting the target, inflation in 2023 resulted according to plan. After the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exceeded 6% in 2021 and 2022, it ended at 3.7% in 2023. The BCP had set a 4% cap for the current exercise and could thus herald hopeful expectations for the year ahead.
Argentina's Central Bank (BCRA) is entertaining the possibility of issuing AR$ 20,000 and 50,000 bills in a move to keep up with inflation and eliminate the need for large wads of banknotes for nearly every cash transaction.
Less than two weeks into the term of President Javier Milei, Argentina Thursday made a payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth US$ 921 million thanks to a loan from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Argentine Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo said Thursday that inflation in his country stood already at 1% per day and insisted that measures were being taken to get out of this “financial catastrophe” through a classic orthodox stabilization plan. “We are in that process, but we are very confident,” he stressed.
Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) released a report Wednesday stating that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November 2023 went up 12.% for a total of 148.2% so far this year and an interannual increase of 160.9%. November's figures represented a strong jump from October's 8.3%.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Communications Director Julie Kozack Thursday insisted during a press conference at the agency's headquarters in Washington that Argentina must have a strong and credible Central Bank to reduce inflation under future President Javier Milei. In Kozack's view, high prices are one of the most important imbalances the country needs to tackle.
Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) announced Monday in Buenos Aires that October's Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 8.3% for a 142.7% year-on-year. These results showed a return to one-digit monthly inflation after 12.7% in September and 12.4% in August for an accumulated 120% in the first ten months of 2023, Indec also noted.
Paraguay was given a BB+ rating in Fitch's latest report, which is one step away from investment grade. Although in Asunción the South American country's Economy Ministry highlighted the achievement, the agency also warned about challenges in terms of credibility.
Argentina will pay maturities worth US$ 2.6 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the Oct. 22 presidential elections, it was reported Thursday in Buenos Aires. However, US$ 1.28 billion was due Friday, another US$ 640 million on Oct. 12, while a third payment of US$ 673 million was scheduled for the last working day of the month.
Inflation in Uruguay fell again in September for the fifth consecutive month, reaching 0.61% for a year-on-year total of 3.87%, according to a National Statistics Institute (INE) report released Wednesday in Montevideo.