16/06/2026 19:18 - Economia
Gráfico financiero con barras verdes ascendentes representando la caída del riesgo país argentino, con el ícono de Argentina y números brillantes en azul tecnológico
Country risk measures the premium investors demand to hold Argentine bonds compared to safe US Treasury bonds. A lower number indicates greater investor confidence. The drop to 425 basis points marks the best reading since April 2018, when the index touched 419 points during a brief period of market optimism.
| Current Level: | 3,250,310.07 points |
| Daily Change: | -3.1% |
The Merval is Argentina's main stock market index, tracking the most traded companies on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.
| Official Rate: | $1,450 ARS/USD |
| Blue Dollar: | $1,460 ARS/USD |
| MEP Rate: | $1,450.03 ARS/USD |
| CCL Rate: | $1,498.83 ARS/USD |
The narrow gap between official and informal rates signals market stability.
Rating agency Standard & Poor's upgraded Argentina's credit rating from CCC+ to B-, a significant step that "unlocks restrictions for institutional funds," according to market analysts. This improvement allows investment funds with strict credit quality mandates to finally consider purchasing Argentine bonds.
A B- rating indicates the issuer has payment capacity but faces significant uncertainties and risks. It sits six levels below investment grade (BBB-) and represents a meaningful improvement from CCC+, which signaled a high probability of short-term default. Investment funds often have mandates prohibiting them from buying bonds rated below certain thresholds—this upgrade opens Argentina to billions in potential institutional capital.
The peace agreement between the United States and Iran announced on June 14, 2026 sent shockwaves through global markets. Brent crude fell 4.1% to USD 83.79 per barrel, while WTI dropped to USD 80.16 (-5.6%). The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of global oil flows—relieved pressure on energy prices worldwide.
This narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint. Its closure during conflicts can spike global oil prices by 20-30%. The agreement ensures safe passage for tankers, reducing energy costs for import-dependent nations like Argentina.
USD 83.79
-4.1%USD 80.16
-5.6%425 bps
8-Year LowDollar-denominated sovereign bonds extended their winning streak with gains up to 1.6%. The Bonar 2041 led gains among sovereign debt instruments. Argentine sovereign bonds averaged a 0.6% increase for the session, capitalizing on favorable regional conditions.
ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) are Argentine companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange. They allow international investors to buy shares of foreign companies without dealing with local market regulations:
| Company | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banco Macro | -4.1% | Major Argentine bank |
| Cresud | -4.0% | Agricultural real estate |
| Telecom Argentina | -3.6% | Telecommunications |
| YPF | -6.0% | State-controlled energy |
| Vista Energy | -4.9% | Shale oil producer |
American Depositary Receipts represent shares of foreign companies traded on US exchanges. They're denominated in dollars and follow US market regulations, making them accessible to American investors. Argentine ADRs include companies like YPF (oil), Banco Macro (banking), and Telecom Argentina (telecommunications).
2.1%
Monthly InflationUSD 10.6B
Central Bank24%
Exchange RateB-
S&P CreditUS markets also celebrated the geopolitical breakthrough:
Eric Ritondale from Puente highlighted key catalysts: access to international financing, upcoming bond payments in July, reserve accumulation, and potential Q3 issuance. Goldman Sachs projects sustained high US interest rates through 2027 with stable oil prices—a scenario that could benefit Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation, one of the world's largest unconventional oil and gas reserves.
Located in Neuquén Province, Vaca Muerta ("Dead Cow" in Spanish) is one of the world's largest shale oil and gas deposits, comparable to the US Permian Basin. Lower oil prices could accelerate Argentina's transition from energy importer to net exporter, strengthening the trade balance and foreign reserves.
Sources: Country risk data based on JP Morgan EMBI+ Argentina index. Credit rating information from Standard & Poor's official announcements. Oil prices from international commodity exchanges. Market data reflects trading session of June 16, 2026.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
