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☆ Javier Milei wants Argentina to swap the peso for the US dollar. Here's what that would mean
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For years, Argentinians have preferred to pay for many goods and services in greenbacks, rather than with their own collapsing currency, as part of an informal “blue dollar” currency market. To dollarize its economy, Argentina would need to exchange all pesos held by its people and businesses for US dollars, and assign a dollar value to all of its assets and contracts. The Fed would continue to set the cost of borrowing based on the needs of the US economy, not Argentina’s. Practical headacheThere’s another significant snag in Milei’s plan: Argentina doesn’t have enough dollars to ditch the peso. “People would need to take wheelbarrows of cash to convert to dollars,” Sabatini said.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Argentina’s, JP Morgan, Argentinians, Milei, Natacha, Matias Baglietto, Reuters “ That’s, ” Christopher Sabatini, Kimberley Sperrfechter, ” Sperrfechter, It’s, ” Sabatini, Luis Robayo, Sabatini, ” Organizations: London CNN, National Institute of Statistics, Argentina’s, US Federal Reserve, Economic, Reuters, America, Chatham House, CNN, Capital Economics, International Monetary Fund, Getty, IMF Locations: Argentina, greenbacks, Washington, El Salvador, Panama, Ecuador, United States, Buenos Aires, AFP

☆ Argentina's Peronists soar in election to seal run-off with radical Milei
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Javier Milei, presidential candidate of the Liberty Advances coalition, speaks at his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 22, 2023. Argentina's ruling Peronist coalition smashed expectations to lead the country's general election on Sunday, setting the stage for a polarized run-off vote next month between Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right libertarian radical Javier Milei. "We have never had so much polarization," said 72-year-old pensioner Silvia Monto as she voted in Buenos Aires on Sunday. "He is the only one who understands the situation in the country and understands how to save it," said Buenos Aires student Nicolas Mercado, 22. Silvana Dezilio, 37, a housewife in Buenos Aires province, said it was hard to see a positive outcome whoever won.

Persons: Javier Milei, Argentina's, Sergio Massa, Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Milei, Carlos Gutierrez, Bullrich, Silvia Monto, Nicolas Mercado, Silvana Dezilio Organizations: Liberty Advances, Peronist, International Monetary Fund Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Milei, China, Brazil

☆ ANALYST VIEW Argentina vote headed for runoff between ruling Peronist and radical Milei
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa addresses supporters as he reacts to the results of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 22, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - A stronger-than-expected showing by Argentina's ruling Peronist coalition at a general election on Sunday has set the stage for a run-off vote on Nov. 19 between Economy Minister Sergio Massa and far-right radical Javier Milei. First, any announcements by the two candidates advancing to the second round. MARIANO MACHADO, PRINCIPAL AMERICAS ANALYST, VERISK MAPLECROFT, MALAGA"It is true that in the first round, societal mood shied away from radical change; but in the second round, pro-change voters may shift to Milei to oust Kirchnerism from power." The combination of a libertarian candidate pushing for dollarisation, with minister Massa hiking the money-printing machine to produce a political miracle for ‘candidate’ Massa could finally push macroeconomic variables off the cliff’s edge."

Persons: Sergio Massa, Mariana Nedelcu, Argentina's, Javier Milei, SERGIO ARMELLA, GOLDMAN SACHS, Massa, Milei, DIEGO W, PEREIRA, Patricia, Bullrich’s, Juan, MARIANO MACHADO, VERISK, Kirchnerism, ’ Massa, Karin Strohecker, Kirsten Donovan, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Peronist, JPMORGAN, NEW, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, AMERICAS, VERISK MAPLECROFT, MALAGA, Rosario

☆ Morning Bid: Markets juggle 5% yields and 150 yen
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 11, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsA look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanPartly unwinding pre-weekend safety hedges related to the Middle East conflict, world markets are back focused on some critical macro priced levels and milestones that may once again define the week. The dollar retained its bid as a result and continued to probe the 150 yen level many suspect the Bank of Japan will be keen to protect against with open-market yen buying. But even these megacaps are still in thrall to the worrying squeeze in U.S. bond markets and the breach of the 5% threshold on 10-year tenors on Monday. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Mike Dolan, Goldman Sachs, thrall, that's, That's, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Maria Corina Machado, Hess, Berkley, Brown, Susan Fenton Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Industrial, China, Goldman, Microsoft, Meta, Federal Reserve, Economy, Banco BBVA Argentina, Peronist, Massa, Venezuelan, Chevron, Exxon, Natural Resources, Brown, Cadence, Packaging Corp of America, Fed, Bank of Israel, Trade Organization, Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Gaza, China, Taiwan, outflows, 50bps, York, America, Venezuela, Geneva

[1/2] Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa gestures during a press conference a day after the first round of Argentina's presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 23, 2023. Local media reported similar though more informal campaigns in some hospitals, and the energy secretary warned the price of subsidized gas could double. 'CHAINSAWING' THE WELFARE STATE? "At the other end of the chainsaw he totes at rallies are the pocketbooks of millions of Argentines," he added. Additional reporting by Candelaria Grimberg and Lucinda Elliott; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Cristina Sille, Sergio Massa's, Javier Milei, Massa, Milei, Amparo Anzaldi, Benjamin Gedan, Wilson, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Ana Monclus, meanwhile, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Candelaria Grimberg, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Aurora Ellis Organizations: REUTERS, Argentine Economy, Peronist, Massa, Local, International Monetary Fund, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine

☆ Explainer-Argentina Presidential Election: Key Takeaways From First-Round Vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Massa and Milei will go to a run-off vote on Nov. 19 to take the presidency from mid-December, replacing outgoing center-left Peronist President Alberto Fernandez. Massa ended the night with 36.7% of the vote versus Milei on around 30%. Juan Schiaretti, who got a higher-than-expected vote share of nearly 7%, could also play an important king-maker role. Argentina's election race comes at a time of major uncertainty for the South American country facing its worst economic crisis in two decades. Any incoming government will have to resuscitate an economy facing triple-digit inflation, negative net foreign exchange reserves, and a sliding currency.

Persons: Maximilian Heath BUENOS, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Massa, Milei, Alberto Fernandez, Conservative Patricia Bullrich, Milei's, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Juan Schiaretti, pollsters, Maximilian Heath, David Holmes Organizations: Reuters, Peronist Economy, Milei, Conservative, La Libertad Avanza, U.S, la Patria, Peronist, BE, WHAT'S, South, International Monetary Locations: Maximilian Heath BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Brazilian, Massa, South American

☆ Argentine assets under pressure as Economy Minister Massa beats far-right Milei in first-round vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Presidential candidate for La Libertad Avanza Javier Milei looks on during a presidential debate on October 01, 2023 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Argentine dollar-denominated bonds were broadly lower Monday after the country's presidential election threw up another surprise result and spelled more uncertainty ahead. Economy Minister Sergio Massa of the ruling Peronist coalition took 36.6% of Sunday's first-round vote, ahead of radical libertarian Javier Milei on 30%, while center-right candidate Patricia Bullrich received 23.8%. It means Massa and Milei will now go head-to-head in a run-off vote on Nov. 19. Financial stocks opened lower before trimming losses, while U.S.-listed stocks of Argentine firms including argicultural business Cresud were lower.

Persons: Javier Milei, Argentinians, Sergio Massa, Sunday's, Patricia Bullrich, Massa, Milei Organizations: La Libertad, Argentine, Economy, Peronist, Reuters Locations: Santiago del Estero, Argentina, U.S

☆ Argentina farmers eye election showdown with doubt and mistrust
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Maximilian Heath | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tomas... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreBUENOS AIRES, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Argentina's farmers, some of the world's most important producers of soy, corn, wheat and beef, have some strong views on the country's polarized presidential election finalists: untrustworthy and unreliable. Sara Gardiol, president of the Confederation of Rural Associations of farm province Santa Fe, said that statements from both appeared to be little more than empty words. "It is a very difficult moment for Argentina, but critical situations can also provide opportunities," he said. "I hope that this opportunity allows us to recalibrate things, to talk with the different actors, but also to make sure things are clear and concrete." Reporting by Maximilian Heath; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Tomas, Patricia Bullrich, Horacio Deciancio, Massa, Deciancio, Sara Gardiol, Carlos Achetoni, Maximilian Heath, Adam Jourdan, Marguerita Choy Organizations: por la Patria, La Libertad, National University of Santiago, Sunday, Peronist, Business, of Rural, Argentine Agrarian Federation, FAA, Thomson Locations: Argentina, National University of Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero, BUENOS AIRES, San Vicente, Buenos Aires, Santa Fe

CNN —Polls have closed in Argentina’s presidential elections, with the leading candidates highlighting sharp contrasts between the country’s political center and its margins amid a severe economic crisis. Inflation in Argentina has soared to 138%, Reuters reports, piling pressure on ordinary people trying to manage the cost of living. Bullrich holds up her marked ballot before putting it into the ballot box during primary elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Massa speaks to the press after voting at the polling station in Tigre, Buenos Aires, during the presidential election on October 22, 2023. Milei greets supporters before voting during general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.

Persons: Javier Milei, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, “, ” Laura Celiz, Alberto Fernández, ”, Bullrich, Gustavo Garello, Fabiana Cantilo, Massa, Emiliano Lasalvia, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Milei, Rodrigo Abd, Milei’s Organizations: CNN, YouTube, Getty, International Monetary Fund, Milei Locations: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Tigre, AFP

☆ Mired in economic crisis, Argentines weigh whether to hand reins to anti-establishment populist
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Argentines were going to the polls Sunday, as frustrated voters weigh handing the presidency to an anti-establishment, right-wing populist who has shaken up the political system and pledges to drastically overhaul the state. "Argentina is in for a wild ride," Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America program at the Washington-based Wilson Center, said. Whatever the results, Milei has already inserted himself and his libertarian party into a political structure dominated by a center-left and a center-right coalition for almost two decades. Argentines were also buying dollars and removing hard currency deposits from banks as the peso accelerated its already steady depreciation. That message resonated among many Argentines who watched their economic prospects wither under successive administrations in which both Massa and Bullrich served.

Persons: Javier Milei, Donald Trump, Benjamin Gedan, Milei, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Massa, Bullrich, Ignacio Cardozo, Cristian Ariel Jacobsen, Jair, Eduardo, Tucker Carlson admiringly, Daniel Noboa Organizations: U.S ., America, Wilson Center, Former, Economy, Massa, Vox, Fox News, Trump Locations: Argentina, Washington, South, Buenos Aires, Ecuador

Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza party reacts during the closing event of his electoral campaign ahead of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 18, 2023. The result, according to the cloning company, was at least four "grandchildren": Murray, Milton, Robert and Lucas, who are named for Milei's economist idols including Milton Friedman. After Conan's death, Milei sent the dog's DNA sample to animal cloning firm PerPETuate, which has written publicly about cloning Milei's dogs on its company website. Through a medium, Milei's original dog, he alleges, gave him the mission of becoming Argentina's president, which he could - against the odds - pull off today or next month. As Milei's political profile has soared, his dogs have become a point of criticism.

Persons: Javier Milei, Matias Baglietto, Milei's, Conan, confidants, Murray, Milton, Robert, Lucas, Milton Friedman, Milei, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Gonzalez, Opponent Massa, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Candelaria Grimberg, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad, REUTERS, Argentina, Economy, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES

☆ Argentina Heads to the Polls in Grip of Fierce Economic Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Milei, pledging to "chainsaw" the economic and political status quo, is the candidate to beat, with angry voters flocking to his tear-it-all-down message, fed up with inflation at 138% and poverty affecting over two-fifths of the population. Amid this crisis Milei has risen abruptly, pledging shock therapy to fix the economy including dollarizing, shutting the central bank, slashing the size of government drastically and privatizing state entities. Massa, current economy chief, remains in the running despite overseeing inflation hitting triple digits for the first time since 1991. He is pledging to cut the fiscal deficit, stick with the peso and defend the Peronist social welfare safety net. Pollsters see her as the most likely of the top three runners to miss out on a second round.

Persons: Argentina's, Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Milei, Federico Aurelio, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Massa, Bullrich, Nicolas Mercado, Flavia Vázquez, Pollsters, Nicolas Misculin, Adam Jourdan, Chizu Organizations: Reuters, American, Peronist Economy, International Monetary Fund Locations: Misculin BUENOS AIRES, China, Brazil, Buenos Aires

☆ Argentina heads to the polls in grip of fierce economic crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Nicolás Misculin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Workers load ballot boxes and voting material into a truck, ahead of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 21, 2023. Milei, pledging to "chainsaw" the economic and political status quo, is the candidate to beat, with angry voters flocking to his tear-it-all-down message, fed up with inflation at 138% and poverty affecting over two-fifths of the population. Massa, current economy chief, remains in the running despite overseeing inflation hitting triple digits for the first time since 1991. He is pledging to cut the fiscal deficit, stick with the peso and defend the Peronist social welfare safety net. Pollsters see her as the most likely of the top three runners to miss out on a second round.

Persons: Mariana Nedelcu, Argentina's, Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Milei, Federico Aurelio, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Massa, Bullrich, Nicolas Mercado, Flavia Vázquez, Pollsters, Nicolas Misculin, Adam Jourdan, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, American, Peronist Economy, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, China, Brazil

This remote town is also where an alleged graft and money-laundering scheme related to the El Calafate hotels owned by the Kirchner family took place. In El Calafate, architect Walter Pieroni said some properties on the edge of the main commercial center could go days without water because of poor planning. In Santa Cruz, a province of some 333,000 people, fixing things was once the role of the Kirchners. Under the Kirchners, an airport was built in El Calafate, roads were paved to the glaciers, and plots of land were distributed to locals. "But they created a model that does not work and now our children have no future in this country," said Feldman, who has lived in El Calafate since 1987.

Persons: RIO, Alicia Kirchner, Kirchner, Javier Milei, Milei, " Kirchner, Nestor Kirchner, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Fernandez de Kirchner, Alberto Fernandez, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Santa Cruz, Brian Franco, Moreno, Franco, Eugenio Quiroga, El, Walter Pieroni, Weeks, Pieroni, Guillermo Carnevale, Peronist Fernandez, Mauricio Macri, Kirchnerism, Ana, Guerrero, hadn't, We've, Danny Feldman, Feldman, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Peronist, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, El, Suppliers, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Santa, China, Brazil, El Calafate, Spain, Germany, Buenos Aires

☆ Argentina voters on a knife-edge as presidential election nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Horacio Soria | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Workers unload ballot boxes and voting material from a truck, ahead of the presidential election, at a school on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina October 21, 2023. The vote is a tight three-way race between frontrunner radical outsider Javier Milei, ruling Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa and center-right former security minister Patricia Bullrich, all offering starkly different visions for Argentina. Libertarian economist Milei is in pole position to win, though would likely face a second round. "It seems to me that it is time for change, to see how we can alter the reality of the country." Reporting by Horacio Soria and Juan Bustamante; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mariana Nedelcu, Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Soledad Sanchez, Bullrich, Milei, Massa, pollsters, Hernan Etchaleco, Agustin Geist, Horacio Soria, Juan Bustamante, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Argentine, Peronist Economy, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Peronist, Bullrich

☆ The rundown on Argentina's presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsThe rundown on Argentina's presidential electionPostedArgentines will vote in presidential elections on Sunday (October 20), a three-way race between libertarian populist Javier Milei, center-left economy minister Sergio Massa and center-right ex-minister Patricia Bullrich. Olivia Zollino has more.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Olivia Zollino

☆ Take Five: Another curve ball for markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The European Central Bank looks set to sit tight after a string of interest rate hikes, while there's a slew of U.S. earnings and Argentina's presidential election. ECB chief economist Philip Lane says the central bank was still "quite some distance" from easing monetary policy. Canada's central bank, meeting on Wednesday, is tipped to leave rates steady as inflation eases. 2 economy, property turmoil threatens China's 5% growth target - even after a consensus-smashing 4.9% quarterly expansion. Milei, surprise victor in the August primary election, has pledged to dollarise the economy and get rid of the central bank.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Amanda Cooper, Naomi Rovnick, Kevin Buckland, Lewis Krauskopf, Rodrigo Campos, Philip Lane, hasn't, Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Vineet Sachdev, Sumanta Sen, Dhara Ranasinghe, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, European Central Bank, Hamas, ECB, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Tesla, General Motors, Merck, United Parcel Service, Investors, International Monetary, Massa, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, London, Tokyo, New York, Israel, Palestinian, Russia, Ukraine, China, Beijing, ARGENTINA, Argentina, Pasir Kongkunakornkul

☆ Argentina’s far-right firebrand Javier Milei is the one to beat in a wide-open presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Javier Milei presidential candidate of the La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances) party, speaks at the campaign closing event on Oct.18, 2023. The first-round presidential vote follows a shock primary win for far-right frontrunner Javier Milei, a libertarian outsider who has pledged to dollarize the economy, abolish the country's central bank, and sharply reduce state spending. (L-R) Presidential Candidate for Juntos Por el Cambio Patricia Bullrich waves to supporters alongside Vice Presidential Candidate Luis Petri and former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri during her closing presidential rally on Oct. 19, 2023 in Lomas de Zamora, Argentina. The race to replace Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, who is not seeking re-election, is unlikely to be decided this weekend. Sergio Massa, Argentina's economy minister and presidential candidate of Unity for the Homeland party, speaks during a closing campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.

Persons: Javier Milei, Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Jimena Blanco, Verisk Maplecroft, Massa, Luis Petri, Argentina Mauricio Macri, Marcos Brindicci, Mariano Machado, Mauricio Macri, Machado, Alberto Fernandez, Verisk Maplecroft's Blanco Organizations: La Libertad, Getty, La Libertad Avanza, la Patria coalition, el Cambio, Verisk, CNBC, Juntos, Lomas de Zamora, Americas, Milei, Argentine, Unity, Homeland, Bloomberg Locations: Argentina, Milei, Bullrich, Lomas de, Argentina's, Buenos Aires

☆ Argentine Voters, Fired up by Anger, Ready to Leap Into the Political Void
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Nicolás MisculinBUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina may be about to leap into the political unknown. Many blame the political elite and have latched on to Milei's burn-it-all-down rhetoric. That will impact the make-up of Congress, which is being partially renewed and will likely end up fragmented. Many voters, however, appeared resigned to a Milei win - a reflection of how the former television pundit has managed to take hold of the political narrative, leveraging memes and videos online that have resonated with younger voters. "I'm going to vote for Massa, but Milei is going to win," said Stella Buk, 65, who has a book stall at the Parque Centenario fair.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, I'm, Sebastián Pizzo, Milei, Mariel Fornoni, Massa, Carlos Fara, Milei's, Mariel Segovia, Adriana Schedfin, Mabel Baez, Baez, Stella Buk, Nicolas Misculin, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Reuters, Argentine, International Monetary Fund, Management, Massa, Parque Centenario Locations: Misculin BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Asia, Europe, China, Tapiales, Argentine

Investors arrive to the election looking at an economy in recession as a crippling drought hit the key agricultural sector. The gap to the official rate is above 150%. On the line is the survival of the country's $43 billion program with the International Monetary Fund and the possibility that Argentina defaults on its debt for a 10th time. "Dollarization would not cure the main issue in Argentina, which is a really large fiscal problem." "Debt does not need to be an immediate priority," said Khan, who doesn't expect dollarization to top the near-term list either.

Persons: Patricia Bullrich, Martin Cossarini, Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Alejandro di Bernardo, Bernardo, Milei, Massa, Gabriel Rubinstein, Elijah Oliveros, Rosen, Zulfi Ali, Shamaila Khan, Khan, Hans Humes, Humes, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker, Susan Fenton Organizations: el Cambio, REUTERS, NEW, International Monetary Fund, Jupiter Asset, Bullrich, WE, JPMorgan, China, Institute of International Finance, IMF, America, PGIM, Oxford Economics, Reuters, Emerging Markets, Asia Pacific, UBS Asset Management, Massa, Greylock Capital Management, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Washington

☆ Italy picks UBS, Jefferies, Clifford Chance for MPS privatisation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Giuseppe Fonte | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People pass in front of a branch of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) bank in Siena, Italy, August 11 2021. REUTERS / Jennifer Lorenzini/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury said on Friday it had picked UBS (UBSG.S) , Jefferies and Clifford Chance as financial and legal advisers for the privatisation of bailed-out bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) (BMPS.MI). After a failed attempt to sell the Tuscan lender to larger peer UniCredit (CRDI.MI) in 2021, Italy agreed to Brussels' new privatisation terms that were never fully disclosed. However, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said this week MPS could return to private hands by the end of next year. Both Giorgetti and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have said in recent months that the government would try to boost competition among Italy's banks with the privatisation of MPS.

Persons: Jennifer Lorenzini, Jefferies, Clifford Chance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Giorgia Meloni, Gavin Jones, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Treasury, UBS, European Union, MPS, Banco, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Monte dei, Siena, Italy, Rome, Brussels

☆ Argentine voters, fired up by anger, ready to leap into the political void
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Nicolás Misculin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Argentina may be about to leap into the political unknown. Many blame the political elite and have latched on to Milei's burn-it-all-down rhetoric. That will impact the make-up of Congress, which is being partially renewed and will likely end up fragmented. Many voters, however, appeared resigned to a Milei win - a reflection of how the former television pundit has managed to take hold of the political narrative, leveraging memes and videos online that have resonated with younger voters. "I'm going to vote for Massa, but Milei is going to win," said Stella Buk, 65, who has a book stall at the Parque Centenario fair.

Persons: Javier Milei, Agustin Marcarian, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, I'm, Sebastián Pizzo, Milei, Mariel Fornoni, Massa, Carlos Fara, Milei's, Mariel Segovia, Adriana Schedfin, Mabel Baez, Baez, Stella Buk, Nicolas Misculin, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad, REUTERS, International Monetary Fund, Management, Massa, Parque Centenario, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Brazil, Asia, Europe, China, Tapiales, Argentine

☆ 'No doubt' Peru in recession, econ minister says, seeking stimulus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LIMA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - There is "no doubt" Peru is in a recession, Economy Minister Alex Contreras said on Friday, his first acknowledgment of the country's negative growth, before speaking before congress to request a fiscal stimulus. Contreras had previously downplayed months of economic contraction, but told journalists outside congress on Friday that the "difficult" situation was now definitively considered a recession. Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Isabel WoodfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alex Contreras, Contreras, Marco Aquino, Isabel Woodford Organizations: Thomson Locations: LIMA, Peru

☆ Argentina braces for election with economy in 'intensive care'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Eliana Raszewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"It is an economy that is in intensive care," Miguel Kiguel, a former undersecretary of finance at the Economy Ministry in the 1990s, told Reuters. "The main challenge is to get Argentina out of stagnation, but to do that you have to lower inflation." J.P. Morgan has estimated inflation will end 2023 at 210%, while a central bank poll of analysts forecast 180%. In a bid to tamp down inflation Argentina's central bank has hiked the benchmark interest rate to 133%, which encourages saving in pesos, but hurts access to credit and economic growth. Milei wants to ditch the peso completely and dollarize the economy, while Bullrich says she favors a dual peso-dollar system.

Persons: Javier Milei, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Miguel Kiguel, J.P, Morgan, Fernando Morra, Bullrich, Eliana Raszewski, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Argentine, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Economy Ministry, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Coldplay, Reuters Graphics, CENTRAL, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, China, Brazil

"He is the change that Argentina needs," said 28-year-old Milei voter Ayrton Ortiz at a recent rally in Buenos Aires province in support of the candidate. Those working with his campaign say it is his authenticity that has made him so successful, especially with two-fifths of the population in poverty and looking for a new voice. "You can like him or not, but he is himself," said Fernando Cerimedo, a political consultant who works on Milei's campaign. Many Milei voters say they are willing to take the risk. At the end of the month, you see how they count pennies and cry," said Milei voter Valentina Brites, 18.

Persons: Javier Milei, Agustin Marcarian, Juan Luis Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Milei, Donald Trump, Beppe Grillo, Ayrton Ortiz, Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, MURRAY, MILTON, ROBERT AND LUCAS Milei, Karina, Conan, Murray, Milton, Robert, Lucas, Milton Friedman, Eduardo Eurnekian, Fernando Cerimedo, Fernando Morra, Valentina Brites, Javier, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Eliana Raszewksi, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad Avanza, REUTERS, American, Peronist, Forces, Libertad Avanza, Reuters, Thomson Locations: La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Argentine, Candelaria

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