IMF’s $3-billion tranche to Argentina on hold as talks go on — source

BUENOS AIRES — A $3-billion payment that International Monetary Fund (IMF) had been expected to disburse to Argentina this month under its standby financing deal has been postponed while the government renegotiates terms of the deal, an Economy ministry source said on Friday.

The payment “has been halted until new terms are reached,” said the source, who had asked not to be named for lack of permission to speak to the press about ongoing negotiations with the IMF.

The local peso currency has lost more than half its value against the US dollar this year as concerns swirled over the government’s ability to pay its debt obligations next year. The currency closed almost unchanged at 39.87 to the greenback on Friday, marking a 7.25% loss for the week.

President Mauricio Macri signed a $50-billion standby finance deal with the IMF in June, but went back to the Fund to renegotiate terms in order to speed up cash disbursements under the agreement. Talks between government official and IMF staff have been held in Washington and Buenos Aires.

Both sides say they want the new deal inked as soon as possible. Earlier on Friday the central bank said it auctioned $75 million in reserves, out of $200 million offered, at an average price of 39.8463 per dollar. The bank said it will raise reserves requirement by 5 basis points on Sept. 19.

As part of its effort to control inflation and the fall of the peso, the bank is also aiming to reduce market liquidity by reducing the amount of outstanding short term Lebac notes.

The bank said on Friday that next week it will offer 150 billion pesos in Lebacs against the 300 billion that will mature during the week. —