Ecuador austerity plan fails to put floor on bonds

President Lenin Moreno’s announcement of austerity measures that could raise $2.25bn, as well as the possibility of cheaper bank loans, was not enough to stop Ecuador’s bonds plunging towards the 40 mark as oil prices fell further on Wednesday. But the sovereign is expected to make a $350m coupon payment on March 24 and some are seeing signs of encouragement in the government’s reaction.