Argentina

Battling a host of problems — local and global — Latin American bond markets suffered a torrid 2018. Many issuers stayed away, high yielders struggled to find financing and investors booked losses. With more volatility expected, political developments in LatAm’s three largest economies could make or break the region’s bond markets in 2019. Oliver West reports.

In this round-up, Trump was confident China would deliver on promises from G20 dinner, China signed several cooperation agreements in Panama and Argentina, China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) planned to lift bans on trading stock-index futures to boost market activity.

Some Latin American DCM bankers think the year is over for new issuance, and several are indeed wishing it already were. Although much of what put the brakes on in Lat Am this year will continue to affect the market in 2019, bond bankers should find reasons to believe January will be better.

Turkish and Argentine assets have been battered over the past few months, but one investor believes that both countries can provide good value and is expanding its exposure.

Yields on Argentina’s dollar-denominated debt hit their tightest levels since early August on Thursday after the IMF increased the size of its financing package from $50bn to $57.1bn.

The IMF and Argentina’s announcement of a new improved financing package came after markets closed on Wednesday, but bond investors say it can be positive for the country's sovereign bonds.

Argentina’s bond rally may not have much further to run even if the country does clinch a larger deal with the IMF, as investors turn their focus to president Mauricio Macri’s challenge in retaining popularity.

Argentine state-owned oil and gas company YPF said on Tuesday that it would buy back $176.245m of the $452.198m in dollar bonds it is due to repay on December 19.

Investors’ eyes are on the Middle East this week as a slew of borrowers bring Sukuk trades to market, but while hopes are high for successful deals, a Turkish central bank rate decision looms large in investors’ minds.

Argentine state-owned oil and gas company YPF is looking to buy back all of its dollar bonds due in December, offering a small premium over face value.

A positive day for Argentina’s bonds on Thursday did not reverse its inverted yield curve in dollars as analysts say investors are becoming ever more concerned about the country.

Argentina’s plan to accelerate its fiscal adjustment left some Buenos Aires-based analysts satisfied on Monday, but all eyes will be on the reopening of the US market on Tuesday to know whether the government has won back the confidence of markets.