Argentina Breaks 8%

Argentina took advantage of market conditions to place the third tranche of its dollar-denominated Bonar VII bond issue, Thursday, achieving a yield of 7.71% - at the low end of market expectations. The sovereign sold $500 million of the seven-year paper, which matures December 2013. The Republic last issued the securities in November when it achieved a yield of 8.03%. The government has $500 million left of the $2 billion program. Argentina’s external financing needs in the first quarter of this year total $3.76 billion.

Argentina Takes Bids For Bonar VII

Argentina will auction the third tranche of its dollar-denominated Bonar VII bond issue today, Thursday, according to the economy ministry. The sovereign is offering $500 million of the seven-year paper, which matures December 2013. The Republic last issued the securities, which carry a coupon of 7%, in November when it achieved a yield of 8.03%. This time around, Argentina will be looking for a yield of around 7.8%, say analysts. The government has so far issued $1 billion of a total $2 billion approved. Argentina’s external financing needs in the first quarter of this year total $3.76 billion. On Wednesday, Argentina’s country risk hit another record low, dropping to 190 basis points, as measured by JPMorgan’s EMBI+ index.

Banco Macro Returns For More

Argentina’s Banco Macro priced Tuesday a $150 million 10-year at par to yield 8.5%. The price was tightened from 8.625% area and the deal was heard trading up marginally on the break. Sole bookrunner was Credit Suisse and orders were heard in excess of $400 million. The deal was rated B2/B+ and highlighted the continued thirst for yield from investors. Proceeds are for general funding. Macro was last in the market in December with a $150 million 30NC5 at 9.75%. Macro started its capital markets comeback in March 2006 with an impressive $300 million IPO.

Argentina: Record Exports In 2006

Argentina achieved record exports of $46.6 billion last year, according to figures released by the economy ministry. The 15% annual increase in sales led to an increase in the trade surplus to $12.4 billion, despite the 19% rise in imports to $34.2 billion. GDP growth of around 9% helped drive up the demand for capital goods imports, said the ministry.

Argentina Economy Expands 8.5%

Argentina’s economy grew by 8.5% between January and November last year, according to the government. Year on year, the economy expanded by 8.6% in November, driven by construction and industrial production and rose 0.6% on a monthly basis.

Moody’s Improves Ratings Outlook For Argentina Local Government

Moody's Investors Service has changed the rating outlook to positive, from stable, for two local governments in Argentina. The agency said the action was prompted by a similar, recent, outlook change for Argentina’s B2 foreign currency country ceiling for bonds. The governments and ratings affected are: City of Buenos Aires foreign currency bonds rated B2 (global scale) and Aa3.ar (Argentina national scale). Both were assigned a positive outlook; these ratings are constrained by Argentina's foreign currency country ceiling. The outlook for domestic currency bonds rated B1 and Aa2.ar remains stable, said the agency. Meanwhile, Province of Mendoza foreign currency bonds due September 2018 rated B2 (global scale) were assigned a positive outlook; this rating is constrained by Argentina's foreign currency country ceiling. The outlook for the province's domestic currency issuer ratings of B1 (global scale) and Aa3.ar (Argentina national scale), as well as for its foreign currency bonds due September 2018 rated Aa3.ar (Argentina national scale), remains stable.

Moody’s Improves Argentina Outlook

Moody’s Investors Service has raised the outlook on its B3 foreign- and local-currency rating of Argentina’s sovereign bonds from stable to positive. The change was due to “continued improvement in the fiscal accounts that, combined with robust economic growth and substantial accumulation of international reserves, has contributed to strengthening the government's overall credit profile and to reducing external vulnerabilities”, according to Moody’s. An outlook change to positive from stable was also made to Argentina’s B2 foreign currency country ceiling for bonds and to the Caa1 ceiling for foreign currency bank deposits. Unaffected by the rating action is Argentina’s Ba1 local currency bond ceiling, the highest possible rating that could be assigned to obligors and obligations denominated in local currency within the country remains stable, as well as the Ba1 local currency deposit ceiling.

IRSA To Issue $150 Million Bonds

Argentine property conglomerate IRSA is to issue 10 years bonds worth up to $150 million. The money raised will be used to finance expansion of its office-building business, including acquisitions. The bonds have been awarded a local A+ rating from Standard & Poor’s and an A minus national scale rating from Fitch. The issue will be coordinated by Citigroup and Credit Suisse.

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Lavagna Declares As Presidential Candidate

Roberto Lavagna, the former economy minister who led Argentina out of financial meltdown, has officially confirmed he will be contesting the presidency later this year. Lavagna managed the economy from the start of 2002 until he resigned in November 2005 following disagreements with President Néstor Kirchner. He has been hinting at running for the “Casa Rosada” for the past six months but formally confirmed his plans to stand in October’s elections in interviews with the country’s leading dailies on Friday. Lavagna will face either President Kirchner, seeking a second term, or his wife, senator Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Happy New Year - 1957 - 50 Years - 2007

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