Bianca Fernet

Argentina Kowtows To “Paris Club” on Debt, Thinks It Won

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on Argentina Kowtows To “Paris Club” on Debt, Thinks It Won

Bond markets are abuzz about Argentina’s deal with the Paris Club of creditors on US$9.7 billion of arrears from the 2001 financial crisis. Economy minister Kicillof emerged, in his mind and that of many, victorious. Brilliant diplomatic showmanship.

Broke Argentina Socks It To Warrant Holders, Saves $3 Billion

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on Broke Argentina Socks It To Warrant Holders, Saves $3 Billion

By Bianca Fernet: “Head in hands” photos or “plunging value” graphs that are traditionally displayed when markets fall were selected to accompany news that Argentine warrants tied to GDP crashed when the government revised 2013 GDP growth down to 3%.

Currency Controls: Argentina Cracks Down on Foreign Travel

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on Currency Controls: Argentina Cracks Down on Foreign Travel

By Bianca Fernet, Argentina, The Bubble: In 2012, Argentina introduced a 15% tax on credit card purchases made in foreign currency. Which turned into 20%. And now, after promising not to raise it again, the government raised it to 35% and closed the last legal window to acquire dollars at the official rate.

Argentine Stocks React to President Kirchner’s Latest Handiwork

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on Argentine Stocks React to President Kirchner’s Latest Handiwork

By Bianca Fernet, Argentina, The Bubble: President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner returned to her post this week, shuffling her cabinet and shaking up financial markets. Balding men marked the occasion by holding their heads in their hands in front of computer screens.

Rule #1 in Argentina: Do NOT Talk About The “Blue Dollar”

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on Rule #1 in Argentina: Do NOT Talk About The “Blue Dollar”

By Bianca Fernet, Argentina, The Bubble: The black/blue/unofficial ARS/USD rate hit 10/1 again. The Federal Police, the Prefecture, the Border Patrol, and representatives of the Central Bank are stomping around downtown, shutting down currency exchanges and being as obvious as possible. And now a gag order on the exchange rate!

The Multi-Billion Dollar Reason Argentina Can’t Be Venezuela, Yet

by Bianca Fernet •  • Comments Off on The Multi-Billion Dollar Reason Argentina Can’t Be Venezuela, Yet

By Bianca Fernet, Argentina, The Bubble: I bring up Venezuela because I am frequently asked what I think is going to happen in Argentina. Venezuela provides a very sobering cautionary tale, because their economic policies look like Argentina’s on steroids.