May 14, 2018

Fears of crisis deepen as Argentina's currency hits new low

International Monetary Director Christine Lagarde meets Argentine Treasury Minister Nicolas Dujovne

Argentinian Treasury minister N. Dijovne greets C. Lagarde from the IMF. Stephen Jaffe/IMF Getty Images

Argentina's currency sunk to new lows today, sparking fears of a crisis that could expand throughout the region. The peso has lost 18% of its value against the U.S. dollar in the last 12 days despite an aggressive rate hike, and the announcement of a loan from the IMF, per the FT.

Why it matters: President Mauricio Macri has been trying to push more pro-market policies after a decade of populist governments in Argentina. His reforms have not produced the desired economic boost in a country with high inflation and anemic growth. The rise in the dollar's value and the lack of confidence in Macri's policies have turned into a storm that could affect other regional markets.

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