24/06/2026 21:57 - Economia
The official dollar closed on Monday, June 23, 2026 at $1,490 at Banco Nación (Argentina's largest public bank), its highest level since January 2026. Meanwhile, the blue dollar (informal parallel market rate) reached $1,505, accumulating a rise of $75 (5.2%) so far in June. The gap between both values remains narrow.
The wholesale dollar, used as reference for foreign trade operations, climbed 3.8% in June compared to an estimated inflation of 2%, accumulating an increase of 5.1% over the last month. This marks an acceleration compared to previous months.
The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) reduced its daily purchases from USD 138 million in April-May to USD 79 million in June, with a minimum recorded of USD 50 million on Monday, June 22. The institution operates in the futures market and sells bonds to contain the exchange rate rise.
International reserves remain at USD 47.508 million, while country risk (a measure of default probability) rose to 433 basis points (+12 units) after touching 8-year lows.
Argentine stocks on Wall Street recorded falls of up to 4.4%. Edenor led the losses with a 4.4% decline, followed by Galicia (-3.9%) and YPF (-3.5%). The S&P Merval (Buenos Aires Stock Exchange index) fell 0.9% in pesos and 2.5% in dollars.
In the local market, the MEP dollar (electronic payment market rate) reached $1,507 (+1.5%) and the contado con liquidación (cash settlement for export) rose to $1,554 (+1.6%). International markets show risk aversion due to expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes, maintaining rates at 3.75%.
The Argentine economy grew 0.7% in the first quarter of 2026. However, banking delinquency reached 12.1% in April 2026, its highest level since 2004. Consulting firms anticipate an orderly exchange rate increase for the second half of the year.
Oil, a key commodity for Argentine exports, fell from USD 110 to less than USD 80 per barrel, which could impact energy export revenues projected at USD 11 billion for 2026.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
