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REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/Illustration/File PhotoNEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Investors in Argentina's financial markets, where bonds and the peso slid on Monday after central bank moves following a surprise primary election result, said the vote had a silver lining: it would likely hasten long-called-for economic reforms. The result initially introduced uncertainty into asset pricing, with traders selling stocks and dollar bonds - but prices later stabilized and the local stock market closed over 3% higher. Investors said this would outweigh any worries about Milei, despite some of his heterodox pledges, including to axe the central bank and dollarize the economy. Milei faces a significant challenge still to turn the primary election win into a successful run to the presidency. The central bank also increased the benchmark interest rate to 118% from 97%.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Javier Milei, Patricia Bullrich, Milei, Kimberley Sperrfechter, Sergio Massa, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Milei's, Walter Stoeppelwerth, Shamaila Khan, Rowe Price, Samy Muaddi, Rodrigo Campos, Adam Jourdan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Argentine, REUTERS, Economics, Kimberley, Peronist, Investors, Gletir SA, Emerging Markets, Asia Pacific, UBS Asset Management, Jorgelina, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Argentine, MERV, Rosario

A general view of the facade of Banco de la Nacion Argentina (Bank of the Argentine Nation), in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 7, 2021. The official FX rate will be fixed at 350 pesos per dollar until the October elections, the central bank said. The country's sovereign dollar bonds fell as much as 2 cents on the dollar, with the 2038 note leading the slide, according to MarketAxess data. Latin America's third-largest economy has been grappling with a severe economic crisis with sky-high inflation and falling central bank reserves. A candidate needs 45% of the Oct. 22 vote to win outright or 40% and a 10-point lead over second place.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Javier Milei, William Jackson, overvalued, Sunday's, Goldman Sachs, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Ricardo Delgado, Eliana Raszewski, Rodrigo Campos, Jorge Otaola, Medha Singh, Adam Jourdan, Bernadette Baum, John Stonestreet, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: de la Nacion Argentina, Bank of, Argentine, REUTERS, LONDON, Capital Economics, Investment, JPMorgan, Gross, Milei, Peronist, Economy, Analytica, Reuters Graphics Reuters, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Qatar, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Agustin Marcarian BUENOS AIRES, MERV, Argentine, refinance, Washington, Rosario

Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei of La Libertad Avanza alliance looks on as he casts his vote at a polling station during Argentina's primary elections, in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mariana NedelcuBUENOS AIRES, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Argentina's presidential election race has an unpredictable X factor: Javier Milei, a fiery and wild-haired libertarian who wears leather jackets, belts out rock songs to his supporters, calling his political opponents "thieves." He has railed against the "caste" of the political elite who he calls "robbers" taking money out of voters' pockets. "We are facing the end of the caste model," he said after the primary election results. I think that Javier is the right person," added Zoccola, who said he had previously voted for Together for Change.

Persons: Javier Milei, Mariana Nedelcu, Donald Trump, Benjamin Gedan, Milei, Al Capone, Adriano Gabriel Zoccola, Javier, Diana Mondino, He's, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Maximilian Heath, Adam Jourdan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad, REUTERS, American, Wilson, Peronist, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mariana Nedelcu BUENOS AIRES, America, Washington

☆ Javier Milei: Far-right outsider posts shock win in Argentina election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

With some 90% of ballots counted, far-right libertarian economist Javier Milei had 30.5% of the vote, far higher than predicted, with the main conservative opposition bloc behind on 28% and the ruling Peronist coalition in third place on 27%. The result is a stinging rebuke to the center-left Peronist coalition and the main Together for Change conservative opposition bloc with inflation at 116% and a cost-of-living crisis leaving four in 10 people in poverty. “We are the true opposition,” Milei said in a bullish speech after the results. This speaks of people’s anger with politics,” said former conservative President Mauricio Macri as he arrived at Together for Change’s election bunker. Turnout was under 70%, the lowest for a primary election since they started to be held in Argentina over a decade ago.

Persons: Reuters —, Javier Milei, ” Milei, ”, Adriana Alonso, Mauricio Macri, Patricia Bullrich, Horacio Larreta, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, JUAN MABROMATA, Sergio Massa, Donald Trump, Jorge Boloco, Maria Fernanda Medina Organizations: Reuters, Peronist, International Monetary Fund, Conservative, Change, Buenos Aires, Argentine, el Cambio, Getty Images Locations: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Buenos, AFP, Tigre

☆ Argentina devalues its currency, jacks up interest rates after shock far-right primary win
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Argentine far-right libertarian economist and presidential candidate Javier Milei celebrates the results of the primary elections with his sister Karina Milei at his headquarters in Buenos Aires on August 13, 2023. Argentina's central bank devalued its currency, the peso, by close to 18% and hiked its benchmark interest rate by a whopping 21 percentage points to 118% on Monday following a shock primary election win by far-right libertarian Javier Milei. The moves were a bid by the government to calm markets in the wake of the Argentinian congressman's surprise victory, which gave him the largest share of votes in the country's presidential primary election at roughly 30%, far exceeding forecasts. Argentina's presidential election will be held in October. Argentinian stocks and its sovereign dollar bonds were also lower Monday.

Persons: Javier Milei, Karina Milei Locations: Argentine, Buenos Aires, Argentina's

☆ Far-right candidate wins Argentina's primary election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsFar-right candidate wins Argentina's primary electionPostedArgentine radical far-right economist Javier Milei has unexpectedly won the country's primary vote, shaking up the race for the presidency and likely dealing a fresh blow to the peso. Flora Bradley-Watson reports.

Persons: Javier Milei, Flora Bradley, Watson Organizations: Argentine

☆ Argentina's far-right surprise, Black Sea warning shots and the latest from Maui
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Read the transcriptA shock win to a far-right candidate in Argentina’s election as the country grapples with 116% inflation. The painful search for survivors continues in Maui -- we hear from a mother who escaped the flames with her 9-year-old. Warning shots by Russia in the Black Sea cause consternation along a key international shipping route. Visit the for information on our privacy and data protection practices. Further ReadingArgentine far-right outsider Javier Milei posts shock win in primary electionAfter Maui wildfires kill 96, search for the missing continuesKremlin blames loose monetary policy as rouble slides past 100 vs dollarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Javier Organizations: Apple, Google, Reuters, Reading Argentine, Thomson Locations: Maui, Russia

A far-right libertarian candidate won Argentina’s open presidential primary election on Sunday, a surprising showing for a politician who wants to adopt the U.S. dollar as Argentina’s official currency and embraces comparisons to Donald Trump. Javier Milei, 52, a congressman, economist and former television pundit, secured 30 percent of the vote with 96 percent of the ballots counted, making him the front-runner for the presidency in the fall general election. Polls had suggested that Mr. Milei’s support was at about 20 percent, and political analysts had predicted that his radical policy proposals — including abolishing the country’s central bank — would prevent him from attracting many more voters. But the vote on Sunday made clear that Mr. Milei now has a clear shot at leading Argentina, a South American nation of 46 million with some of the world’s largest reserves of oil, gas and lithium.

Persons: Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Milei Organizations: U.S, Sunday Locations: Argentina, American

☆ Argentina raises interest rate, devalues peso after shock primary election -official source
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A one hundred Argentine peso bill sits on top of several one hundred U.S. dollar bills in this illustration picture taken October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/Illustration/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Argentina's central bank will raise the benchmark interest rate to 118% from 97% previously, an official source said Monday, adding the country's currency will be devalued to 350 pesos per dollar in the aftermath of a shock primary election. The official peso plunged nearly 18% on Monday morning to just over 350 pesos per dollar and the source said the exchange would be fixed at this rate until the October presidential vote. Latin America's third-biggest economy is battling a severe economic crisis with sky-high inflation and dwindling central bank reserves. Reporting by Walter Bianchi, Jorge Otaola and Adam Jourdan; Editing by Anthony EspositoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Sunday's, Javier Milei, Walter Bianchi, Jorge Otaola, Adam Jourdan, Anthony Esposito Organizations: Argentine, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES

☆ Argentina markets face election hangover after far-right primary bombshell
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Argentina's markets face an election hangover on Monday after a shock primary election win for far-right libertarian Javier Milei, who wants to axe the central bank and dollarize the economy, shook up the race towards general elections in October. The primary to elect party candidates acts as a dress rehearsal for the general election in two months time. Markets had hoped for a strong performance by more moderate candidates, who had a bad night. After a similar primary election shock result in 2019, bonds and the currency crashed and remain in distressed territory, with the peso now held in check by capital controls the government has been unable to unwind. A candidate needs 45% of the Oct. 22 vote to win outright or 40% and a 10-point lead over second place.

Persons: Javier Milei, Milei, Dante Sica, Milei's, Goldman Sachs, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Ricardo Delgado Organizations: Markets, Peronist Locations: Argentine

A general view of the facade of Banco de la Nacion Argentina (Bank of the Argentine Nation), in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianBUENOS AIRES/LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Argentina's markets face an election hangover on Monday after a shock primary vote win for far-right libertarian Javier Milei - who wants to axe the central bank and dollarize the economy - shook up the race towards presidential elections in October. Rock-singing, wild-haired economist and lawmaker Milei far outperformed forecasts to win some 30% of the vote, the largest share with over 90% of ballots counted. Latin America's third-biggest economy has been grappling with a severe economic crisis with sky-high inflation and falling central bank reserves. A candidate needs 45% of the Oct. 22 vote to win outright or 40% and a 10-point lead over second place.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Javier Milei, Milei, Diego Pereira, Milei's, Goldman Sachs, Patricia Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Ricardo Delgado, Eliana Raszewski, Jorge Otaola, Adam Jourdan, Stephen Coates, Bernadette Baum Organizations: de la Nacion Argentina, Bank of, Argentine, REUTERS, LONDON, Investment, JPMorgan, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Gross, Peronist, Economy, Analytica, International Monetary Fund, Qatar, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Agustin Marcarian BUENOS AIRES, U.S, Argentine, refinance, Washington, Rosario

☆ Argentina set for primary vote with ruling Peronists fighting for survival
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nicolás Misculin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I am thinking of leaving my vote blank," said Micaela Panzera, a 22-year-old employee of a food company in Buenos Aires. We have seen warning signs of this in the provincial elections held up to now," said political analyst Carlos Fara. Pollsters see the combined Together for Change opposition candidates just ahead of the ruling Peronist bloc, with Milei pulling close to 20%. In the 2019 primary the polls were proved badly wrong. Reporting by Nicolás Misculin; Additional reporting by Candelaria Grimberg; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Horacio Larreta, Sergio Massa, Micaela Panzera, Patricia Bullrich, Javier Milei, Goldman Sachs, Carlos Fara, Nicolás Misculin, Candelaria Grimberg, Adam Jourdan, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Peronist, International Monetary Fund, Buenos Aires, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Change, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Buenos Aires

A man wearing a face mask as a protective measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) walks past the entrance of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, a day after midterm primary elections, in Buenos Aires, Argentina September 13, 2021. The primary, which unusually is an obligatory nationwide vote, defines internal leadership battles and acts as a dry run for the general election. The primary vote four years ago delivered a shock landslide defeat to the government of conservative then-President Mauricio Macri, sparking a crash in bonds, equities and the peso currency that Argentina has yet to fully recover from. Ex-security tsar Patricia Bullrich and Buenos Aires city Mayor Horacio Larreta are vying to lead the opposition, and Economy Minister Sergio Massa is a unity candidate for the Peronists. The country's S&P Merval (.MERV) stock market index, meanwhile, has been soaring, seen as a safe haven for local investors and a refuge from the damaging impact of inflation.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Mauricio Macri, it's, Mauro Natalucci, Rava Bursátil, Patricia Bullrich, Horacio Larreta, Sergio Massa, Javier Milei, Jorge Otaola, Walter Bianchi, Adam Jourdan, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Peronist, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Argentine, SBS Group, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, MERV

☆ Factbox: Who are the candidates in Argentina's primary elections?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Maximilian Heath | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The polls will open at 8 a.m. (1100 GMT) with results coming in from 9 p.m. (0000 GMT). All candidates need a minimum 1.5% of the vote to be eligible for the general election, while the two main political blocs face internal leadership battles. JUAN GRABOIS AND JUAN SCHIARETTIGrabois, 40, a lawyer and labor activist, will compete with Massa for main Peronist nomination but lags well behind in polls. Schiaretti, 74, a regional governor, is a moderate with ties to Peronism running for a coalition of smaller parties. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReporting by Maximilian Heath; Editing by Nicolas Misculin and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: SERGIO MASSA, Massa, PATRICIA BULLRICH Bullrich, Horacio Larreta, HORACIO LARRETA Larreta, Larreta, JAVIER MILEI, JUAN GRABOIS, JUAN SCHIARETTI Grabois, Maximilian Heath, Nicolas Misculin, Diane Craft Organizations: Peronist coalition's, la Patria, Peronist, Buenos Aires, Change, Bullrich, Harvard, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Buenos Aires, Argentina

☆ Voter anger, apathy hang over Argentina primary elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Nicolás Misculin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Pollsters, however, said voter apathy could mean big shifts late in the race, with many people still undecided. The primary election will give the clearest indication yet of what the October general election result is likely to be. "I still don't know who I'm going to vote for and I think we're all in the same position. "I'm going to vote because I don't want to pay the fine, but I still don't know who. Despite voting being obligatory by law, voter turnout is also expected to be down and could affect the result.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Kristalina Georgieva, Evelyn Hockstein, Javier Milei, Pablo Vairo, Facundo Nejamkis, Horacio Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Cristian Guardo, Maximiliano Herrera, Karina, Nicolas Misculin, Juan Bustamante, Adam Jourdan, Diane Craft Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, REUTERS, Peronist coalition's, Economy, Peronist, Reuters, Primaries, pollster Opina, Milei, Reuters Graphics Reuters, la Patria, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Buenos Aires, pollster, pollster Opina Argentina, Peronist, Candelaria

☆ Argentine polls give slight edge to opposition ahead of uncertain primaries
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Matias Baglietto/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Argentina's opposition is polling with a slight lead for the upcoming August primaries, usually a reliable bellwether for the outcome of the presidential election, but with many voters ready to snub the ballot box the results are far from certain. Most polls peg the center-right opposition alliance Together for Change (JxC) with a slight edge against the center-left ruling coalition Union for the Homeland (UP). Over 10 percentage points behind is political outsider Javier Milei's Liberty Advances party, which hopes to win votes from those disillusioned with politics. The primaries will decide the candidates who will compete in the Oct. 22 elections, but polls vary on which candidates will win a place in the race. Massa is seen as likely to win a place in the presidential vote, but the country's severe economic crisis has favored Milei, who carries an "emotional vote".

Persons: Javier Milei, Matias Baglietto, Carlos Fara, Javier Milei's, Mariel Fornoni, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Bullrich, Sergio Massa, Juan Grabois, Massa, Milei, Pollsters, It's, Lucila Sigal, Juan Bustamante, Sarah Morland, Sandra Maler Organizations: 135th Argentine, REUTERS, Union for, Homeland, Management, Economy, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, UP, Fara

☆ Analysis: Pakistan and Argentina bonds' surge belies bigger reform hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Libgeorge Jorgelina Do Rosario | Jorgelina Do Rosario | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Reuters GraphicsBut the boost in the bonds belies the difficulties both nations face implementing major reforms once new leaders arrive after upcoming elections. Pakistan's 11th hour deal for $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), after months of talks got official approval this week. Saudi Arabia and the UAE followed with $2 billion and $1 billion infusions. This fresh cash means Pakistan is unlikely to default on its debt in the next six to nine months, said de Sousa. Investors and pollsters said the tough times could force Pakistan and Argentina's leaders to reckon with needed fiscal reforms.

Persons: Carlos de Sousa, de Sousa, JPMorgan, Roberto H, Sifon Arevalo, refinance, Jimena Blanco, pollsters, Alejandro Catterberg, Sergio Massa, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Javier Milei, Shamaila Khan, Libby George, Jorgelina, Rodrigo Campos, Karin Strohecker, Toby Chopra Organizations: JPMorgan, Vontobel Asset Management, International Monetary Fund, UAE, Elections, Pakistan, P, Reuters, Peronist, Asia Pacific, UBS Asset Management, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Washington, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Asia, Rosario

☆ Argentina's currency crisis is so dire that it's allowing people to open bank accounts using the Chinese yuan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Argentina is allowing commercial banks to open deposit accounts in the Chinese yuan. The country is facing a drastic shortage in the US dollar, a major currency used in global trade. The Central Bank of Argentina said in a Thursday statement on its website that it is allowing the Chinese yuan as a form of currency in savings and checking accounts. The move complements the country's securities regulator announcing that Argentina can issue securities in the Chinese currency, the central bank added. Javier Milei, a leading presidential candidate, has proposed replacing the peso with the greenback as Argentina's local currency to tame inflation.

Persons: —, Javier Milei Organizations: Argentine, greenback, Service, Central Bank of, International Monetary Fund, Buenos Aires Times, Bloomberg, Reuters Locations: Argentina, Central Bank of Argentina, China, Beijing, internationalize, Argentine

☆ Argentina political drama heats as election battle lines drawn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Anna-Catherine Brigida | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BUENOS AIRES, June 24 (Reuters) - Argentina's presidential election battle lines have hardened after economy minister Sergio Massa entered the race in a dramatic late twist to take on front runners including a conservative city mayor, ex-security czar and libertarian economist. The most notable late confirmation has been Economy Minister Sergio Massa, whose candidacy was announced somewhat unexpectedly Friday night. "This completely changes the political scene," said Alejandro Corbacho, director of political science program at Argentine University UCEMA. Larreta, Bullrich, and Massa are roughly even in the polls, with Milei polling slightly ahead. With no candidate or party polling over 50%, the likelihood is the October election will lead to a run-off, with all still to play for.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Alejandro Corbacho, Massa, Agustin Rossi, Eduardo, Wado, de Pedro, Brazil Daniel Scioli, Horacio Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Facundo Manes, Bullrich, Javier Milei, Carlos Fara, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Adam Jourdan, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Argentine University UCEMA, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, American, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Argentine

☆ There's one big reason why housing inventory is so tight right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A lot of moving parts today — we've got stories on Tesla, Microsoft, housing and more. Pretty much everyone with a mortgage is paying a lower rate than what's being offered today. That's compared to about 6.7% you can expect to pay on a new 30-year home loan today. Elon Musk has been shirking rent payments for Twitter, and that's creating problems for Goldman Sachs. She bought a home in Detroit for $6,300 — then figured out how to scale to 35 units and achieve financial freedom.

Persons: I'm Phil Rosen, we've, Let's, Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs, Musk, they're, Javier Milei, Jeff Bezos, Phil Rosen, Max Adams Organizations: Microsoft, Twitter, Columbia Property, Miami University, Elon Locations: Redfin, Detroit, Russia's, Argentina, New York

REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianBUENOS AIRES, April 14 (Reuters) - Argentines, painfully accustomed to decades of spiraling prices, say that the current 102.5%-and-climbing inflation rate is on another level and is making it almost impossible to get by. "In my case, I have zero capacity to save," said Claudia Hernansaez, a publishing company employee. "In one year, beef went from around 1,000 pesos ($4.66) or 1,200 pesos to 2,800 pesos." Paola Lavezzari, also in publishing, said inflation was forcing her to tighten the purse strings and buy cheaper products. Because what you used to consume of a better quality, today is unaffordable," she said.

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